As online holiday shopping ramps up, so do scam attempts. A new AARP survey shows that over 80% of adults have faced some form of holiday-related fraud, yet many of us are unaware of scammers’ tactics – especially online.
 
The AARP holiday scams survey identified three specific threat areas: online shopping scams, gift cards with zero balance scams, and shipping scams. Here are tips to keep yourself safe from these deceptive tactics this winter. 
 
When shopping online, visit sites you know and trust, and avoid clicking on offers or advertisements for deep discounts on hot items. The safest way to give a gift card is by purchasing it online through the retailer’s website. Check the balance when you receive a card and use it sooner than later. Lastly, if you receive a text claiming ‘problems’ with a shipment, don’t engage with it; if you are concerned about the status of a package, contact the shipper directly. 
 
Searching for a last-minute travel deal?
 
With the holiday travel season upon us, scammers are ready to cash in on travelers eager for help with last-minute flight changes and cancellations. Don’t let a fake customer service agent derail your trip – or drain your wallet. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of airline call center scams. 
 
Just because an airline customer service helpline number appears at the top of internet search results doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Search results can be filled with fraudulent phone numbers, and scammers are constantly finding new ways to get their numbers to show up at the top of results. 
 
Beware of any number tied to a result labeled as “Sponsored” or “Ad.” In addition, don’t call numbers that appear in wacky fonts or next to odd emojis; this is a common tactic scammers use to make their numbers both visually pop and appear towards the top. Lastly, remember to slow down. For instance, if your flight is canceled, you typically don’t need to pay to be rebooked. Any “agent” requesting a credit card to do so likely only has their own wallet at heart.
 
Learn more about spotting, preventing, and reporting fraud in North Carolina by watching and subscribing to the AARP Fraud Watch Minutes on YouTube.
 
Be a fraud fighter! If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam.