Holiday Season Scams: How to Stay Safe in 2024
The holidays are quickly approaching again. Traditionally, the holiday season marks a time when fraudsters ramp up their scams and schemes.
The Top Two Holiday Frauds
The top two frauds most prevalent during this time, as reported by the FBI, are non-delivery and non-payment schemes. In a non-delivery scam, consumers purchase goods they never receive, and in a non-payment scam, sellers send items to a buyer but never receive payment. As with most scams, verification is vital before purchasing or sending any merchandise. Check out our infographic for more details! (PDF)
Understanding Social Engineering Scams
In 2024, fraud continues to see an increase in social engineering scams and schemes. These types of frauds use psychological deception designed to exploit human vulnerabilities. Fraudsters use fear, empathy, affinity, authority, and even curiosity to lure people into phone calls, texts, emails, or other interactions to initiate their schemes. A large portion of social engineering begins with phishing phone calls and smishing (SMS text messages). Fraudsters use information collected from open sources to create deceptions that bait conversations. Always be cautious of unsolicited phone calls or texts, even if the number is familiar. Remember, a best practice is to end the conversation and verify the solicitor. This can be done by calling back, researching the person or company requesting information, or contacting local authorities or fraud experts for assistance. Legitimate businesses will understand and respect this best practice for your safety and theirs.
Protective Measures for the Holiday Season
Tips for Avoiding Holiday Scams
Shop Safely Online
- Verify websites for purchasing merchandise
- Double check URL information by hovering over the link with a cursor or mouse
- Do NOT click on suspicious websites or social media posts
Be Careful with Calls and Messages
- Do NOT click on hyperlinks in emails or texts
- Be suspicious of phone calls from unknown numbers
- Be suspicious of links asking to update passwords or account information
Choose Safe Payment Options
- Never send money directly to a seller via wire transfer
- Avoid paying with a gift card for purchases
- Use a credit card for payments and check the statement regularly for suspicious transactions
Beware of Urgent Requests
- Avoid donations, charities, or fundraisers that must be done immediately or pressured for time
- Look closely at deeply discounted items when purchasing online
- Be wary of offers that seem “too good to be true”
Always be cautious of unsolicited phone calls or texts, even if the number is familiar.
Remember: Coastal will never contact you and ask for usernames, passwords, or one-time security codes. Never share this information with anyone, even if you believe you are talking to a Coastal employee. And as always, if you are ever suspicious of information about purchases, donations, sending funds, or fraud related matters, you can contact Coastal’s Fraud Department at 919-420-8000 or 800-868-4262.