Avoid the Grinch of Holiday Scams

The holidays are upon us! No matter how you celebrate, it's arguably the most wonderful time of the year — people exchanging gifts and spending time with the people they love.

However, one unfortunate reality of the holidays is that scams are plentiful. Over the years, people have learned that many get desperate around the holidays. Meanwhile, people search for deals, sales, fast shipping, or sold-out items. Many will do nearly anything to secure that important Christmas present, especially for a child. That is precisely the kind of environment where scams flourish.

To avoid getting scammed on the holidays, we have a series of helpful tips that will assist you in identifying suspicious behavior and avoiding situations where you're likely to be scammed. We haven't covered every peril, but what follows is a great deal of general information to help protect yourself in most scenarios.

If you make any purchases from marketplaces, such as Facebook or OfferUp, check the seller's feedback rating. Be wary of purchasing items from sellers with poor feedback or no rating.

Scams During the Search

Before buying that new present online, be sure to look into the website a bit if it's not a major retailer. Even if it is, sometimes you want to check the supplier. Try to make the following tips part of your process:

• Checking it twice. Check each website before making any purchases to make sure it's secure. Legitimate and secure websites should begin with "https" in the web address. Don't buy from sites you don't recognize or sites that "look" shady – like those with incomplete details, poor design, or other tell-tale signs of hastily built websites.

• Learn from others. If this is your first time buying from a company, do your research and check any reviews before purchasing. Often, you can find past victims of scams making sure to let future potential victims know to steer clear.

• Reputation matters. If you make any purchases from marketplaces, such as Facebook or OfferUp, check the seller's feedback rating. Be wary of purchasing items from sellers with poor feedback or no rating. These marketplaces can be pretty convenient, but they can also be the birthplace of many scams. So, be particularly careful: It's easy to make new accounts and repeat the process for a scammer.

• Fool's gold. If there is a terrific deal, but it is based on location or is in another country, watch it more carefully. The adage "if something is too good to be true, it probably is" holds true. Just because something is a good deal doesn't mean it's legitimate.

Payment Perils

Some scammers target the payment step to defraud you. Such scams are just as dangerous and convincing as any other, so be vigilant. Keep a lookout and be sure to:

• Advanced payment. Never wire money directly to a seller. This is unnecessary and is usually a good way of getting scammed if you're paying "ahead of time" or putting down a "deposit" on an expensive item.

• Use plastic. If you can, use your credit card for online purchases. Credit cards feature better consumer protection and protect you better from scams or fraud.

• Not any plastic. Try to avoid paying for items with a pre-paid gift card. The seller could ask for the gift card number and PIN, steal the funds, and never send you your item.

• Watch the numbers. Check your statement regularly during the holiday season if you've never been a victim of fraud and have no reason to suspect it. It is better to check and know you have nothing to worry about than to leave it to chance.

Always get the tracking number for items you purchase online. Knowing when to expect a delivery makes it easier to ensure someone is home to receive it and know when something has gone missing immediately.

Troubles in Transit

Even if the product is good, the platform trustworthy, and the seller well-intentioned, you're still not out of the woods. The possibility for losses happens even when your purchases are in-route.

• Porch pirates. Be aware that people steal packages from your front door or porch. This has become more and more common due to the popularity of online shopping and subsequent deliveries. Try to avoid setting up deliveries for times you or someone you trust won't be home.

• Know what to expect when. Following the delivery process is very important. Always get the tracking number for items you purchase online. Knowing when to expect a delivery makes it easier to ensure someone is home to receive it and know when something has gone missing immediately.

• Shipping surrogate. If you know a package will arrive when you aren't home, consider asking a trusted neighbor to retrieve it and keep it at their house until you return.

Universal Advice

• Think before you click. Don't open any suspicious links or attachments in emails, text messages, websites, or social media. This is an easy way for scammers to obtain your personal information. If you receive a link or attachment, go directly to the company website, or call the company first to verify.

• Protect your information. Be wary of any company asking you to update your password or account information. If you receive anything like this, look up the company's phone number on your own and call the company.

• Give smartly. If you donate, research the charity before sending money. Many charities are far less charitable than people think: It's essential to do your due diligence to ensure you're contributing to legitimate organizations that use donations wisely. CharityWatch.org is a great resource to start your research.

• Know before you buy. Look at the company's website for return and refund policies, and make sure they are clear and agreeable. Many sites offer free shipping for purchases, but if the item you receive doesn't meet your expectations, who will have to pay to ship it back to get a refund?

Red Flags

• Huge discounts for popular items. It doesn't make sense if you think about this: companies want to make as much money as possible. Why would they discount something that's constantly selling out?

• Spelling or grammar errors happen on websites, social media ads, and emails. But they happen far more often on the kind of quickly built sites to scam shoppers and come and go quickly. A well-built site is no guarantee of a moral seller. Still, be wary of a clumsily executed website.

• Missing contact info. Shopping or travel sites that do not list a phone number or street address for the business. This is another good way to discover a scammer business or false store.

• Indirect access. Any emailed link or attachment that asks you to click or download an app to access deals is worrisome. If you can't simply visit the referenced site directly and access the exact offers, ask yourself why a merchant would hide attractive deals.

• Problematic plastic. If you purchase gift cards at a store, examine the card to ensure that it hasn't been tampered with before purchasing.

No list of advice for avoiding scams can cover every risk. Indeed, scammers are always looking for new opportunities. But, if you stick to the above points, you should be far more protected from scams in this high-risk time of the year. Stay safe and enjoy your holidays!

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