Robin recently sat down with John Adkins to share tips to keep you and your money safe this Christmas season. Find the full interview below!
More from First Coast Community Credit Union: While it's the season of giving, this time of year is also when scammers are more likely to take advantage of people's generosity; leaving you and your information vulnerable. Here are a few common scams you should be aware of this holiday season:
1.) Package Delivery Scams. Sometimes, there are too many packages to keep up with. If you receive an email or text prompting you to click a link to track a package, always do your due diligence to ensure the legitimacy of the message. Scammers know that many carriers and stores use these methods to provide tracking information, and will take it as an opportunity to try and collect your sensitive information.
2.) Sale Scams. This kind of scam is most often seen with high-dollar gifts like electronics or jewelry. Scammers will post fake ads on social media offering an item at an extreme discount. The ad will state that you can claim your discount by clicking a link and entering your information, putting you at risk. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is.
3.) Charity Scams. With people more inclined to donate to charities around the holidays, scammers will often pose as a legitimate charity and contact the victim via phone, email, or even knock on your door. Oftentimes, they will use high-pressure tactics to get you to donate on the spot and require you to donate via unconventional methods like wire transfer, gift cards, or, more recently, cryptocurrency. True charities will never pressure you to donate on the spot. If you want to donate, the safest thing to do is donate directly on the charity's website.
Remember that if you receive an email or phone call that is threatening, always delete the email and hang up the phone. If you stay alert and trust your gut, you'll be making great strides in keeping your personal information out of the hands of scammers.
We hope you and your family have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!
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