Fake Charities Ramp Up Scammers increase their efforts during the holidays and impersonate reputable charities to steal money. Do: Verify any charity before donating by searching its name online or using trustworthy sources. Don’ t: Donate via phone calls or email links in emails unless confirmed, and always use official channels for giving.
Be Cautious With Online Shopping Holiday deals online can be tempting, but crooks create fake stores or mimic real retailers to trick buyers. Do: Shop at stores with a secure website( indicated by“ https” and a padlock symbol) and use credit cards for added protection. Don’ t: Click links from emails or pop-up ads promising deals, and steer clear of unfamiliar websites with unusually low prices.
Phishing: Don’ t Take the Bait Phishing emails, calls, and texts are a significant way scammers try to steal personal details, pretending to be banks, the government, or trusted businesses. Do: Check sender email addresses. Legitimate government or charity emails usually end in“ gov” or“ org.” Don’ t: Give out information or click on links unless you are absolutely sure the message is legitimate.
Telephone Tricks and Urgent Requests Phone scams are prevalent among seniors due to the lack of face-to-face interaction and the use of fake urgency. Do: Hang up and independently verify the entity by calling the company or agency directly. Don’ t: Share personal or financial details on the phone with strangers, especially if asked to pay with gift cards or wire transfers.
“ Too Good to Be True” Offers Scams often include:
• Sales tactics urging fast action
• Requests for odd payment types( gift cards, wire transfers, etc.)
• Poor spelling and grammar in messages
• Promises of prizes or threats to“ lock your account” unless you act immediately
A recent US Senate report and FBI data revealed that older Americans lost nearly $ 4.9 billion to fraud in 2024, a dramatic increase over previous years and significantly higher than the earlier $ 1 billion annual estimate for mass marketing fraud targeting older adults 1.
Sharing Protects Everyone Here are some easy ways to help keep yourself and others safe from holiday scams:
• Discuss scams with family and friends. Sharing stories improves awareness and safety for everyone.
• Ask for help if you’ re unsure about an offer, especially when it’ s online.
• Regularly check bank and credit card statements for unfamiliar charges.
Don’ t let scammers mess up your holidays. Watch out for tricks, talk to your family, and check your finances regularly. If something feels off, slow down and ask for help. A little care means you can have good times and keep your cash safe, even when scammers try hard to fool you.
1. Stokes, Kathy.“ FBI: Older Fraud Victims Lost $ 4.9 Billion in 2024.” AARP. Available at: aarp. org / money / scams-fraud / fbireport-fraud-2024. html.
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