The holiday season is a time for giving, but unfortunately, it’s also prime time for taking. Sadly, scammers take advantage of the festive spirit, using clever tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals and steal their hard-earned money or personal information. Among the most common threats are gift card scams, which have become increasingly sophisticated and fraudulent donation schemes that prey on the goodwill of individuals. Protecting your information during this busy time is essential to ensure your generosity doesn’t lead to financial loss or compromised personal data.
Ready to outsmart the Grinches and keep your holidays bright? Archtop Fiber breaks down the most common holiday scams, offers practical tips to keep your information safe and explains how multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be a game-changer in securing your accounts.
What Are Gift Card Scams and How Do They Work?
While gift cards are popular for their simplicity and convenience, they’re also a favorite target for scammers. Here’s how gift card scams typically work:
- Fake Requests from Scammers Masquerading as Someone You Know: Scammers often impersonate a friend, family member or even your boss, sending an urgent message asking you to buy gift cards and send them the codes. These requests may come through email, text or social media messages.
- Tampered Gift Cards in Stores: Some fraudsters tamper with physical gift cards in stores by recording the codes and waiting for the card to be activated so they can use it before the purchaser does. Check the backs of gift cards before purchasing.
- Fake Gift Card Websites: Cybercriminals create websites that look like legitimate gift card sellers, tricking you into providing payment information for cards that don’t exist.
Donation Scams During the Holidays
The spirit of giving often leads to generous donations, but scammers know this and use fake charities or phishing emails to steal your money and personal information through donation fraud tactics. Common tactics include:
- Emotional Appeals: Fraudulent charities use heart-wrenching stories to pressure you into giving quickly, often without verifying their legitimacy.
- Fake Websites: These mimic real charities but direct donations to the scammer’s account.
- Email and Phone Scams: Scammers use phishing emails or unsolicited phone calls to request donations, often insisting on immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
10 Essential Tips to Avoid Holiday Gift Card and Donation Scams
1. Verify Before You Buy or Donate
Before purchasing a gift card or making a donation, take time to verify the legitimacy of the request. If someone you know asks for a gift card via text or email, call them directly to confirm. For donations, check the charity’s credentials on websites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar to ensure they’re legitimate.
2. Purchase Gift Cards from Trusted Sources
Buy gift cards directly from the retailer’s official website or in-store locations where the cards are stored securely. Avoid purchasing cards displayed on open racks, as they are more susceptible to tampering. Review any card for tampering before purchasing cards in stores.
3. Be Wary of Unsolicited Messages
If you receive an email or text asking for a gift card or donation, scrutinize it carefully. Look for spelling and grammatical errors, unusual email addresses or urgent language designed to pressure you.
4. Use Secure Payment Methods
When purchasing gift cards or making online donations, use a secure payment method like a credit card. Credit cards offer better fraud protection compared to debit cards or wire transfers.
5. Protect Yourself with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a texted code, fingerprint or app-based approval. Here’s why MFA is so effective:
- Stops Unauthorized Access: Even if a scammer steals your password, they can’t access your account without the second verification step.
- Easy to Set Up: Most major platforms offer MFA as a free security feature. Enable it on your email, banking and shopping accounts for optimal protection.
- Peace of Mind: Knowing your accounts have an additional layer of protection makes it harder for scammers to succeed.
6. Monitor Your Bank and Credit Card Statements
Regularly review your financial statements for unauthorized transactions, especially during the busy holiday season. Early detection is key to minimizing damage. Major credit card companies and some banks offer immediate notifications for each purchase. Consider enabling this feature to be notified in real time when a purchase is made.
7. Keep Your Software Updated
Ensure your devices, browsers and antivirus software are updated with the latest security patches. This reduces vulnerabilities that scammers often exploit.
8. Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Transactions
Using public Wi-Fi for online purchases or donations can expose your data to hackers or eavesdroppers. If you must connect, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) you trust to encrypt your connection.
9. Watch for HTTPS
When entering payment information online, always check for “https://” at the beginning of the URL. The “S” stands for secure, indicating that your data is encrypted during transmission. Without the “S,” your credit card or banking information will be sent in cleartext, also known as plain text, which does not provide any coding, encryption or other protections to conceal your financial data.
10. Be Cautious with Social Media
Scammers often use social media platforms to promote fake giveaways or fundraising campaigns. Verify the legitimacy of such campaigns before participating or donating.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a gift card scam or fraudulent donation, act quickly:
- Contact the Gift Card Issuer: Some companies may be able to freeze the card or provide assistance if the funds haven’t been used yet.
- Report the Scam: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or contact your local authorities.
- Secure Your Accounts: Change your passwords and enable MFA to protect your accounts from further unauthorized access.
Stay Safe This Holiday Season with Archtop Fiber
At Archtop Fiber, we prioritize your online safety, especially during the holiday season when scams are rampant. By staying vigilant, using tools like multi-factor authentication and following the tips above, you can protect yourself from falling victim to gift card scams and fraudulent donation schemes.
Enjoy the holidays knowing your information is secure. Stay connected, stay safe and let the spirit of giving shine without a hitch!
Learn more cybersecurity tips and contact Archtop Fiber today to take advantage of our residential and business fiber Internet offerings.