The holiday season is a time for shopping, giving, and celebrating with loved ones. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when scammers look for opportunities to take advantage of busy shoppers.
From fake delivery notifications to deals that seem too good to be true, holiday scams can be convincing. At NC Community Credit Union, we want to help you recognize the warning signs and keep your money and personal information safe.
Here are four common scams to watch out for this holiday season.
1. Fake Package Delivery Notifications
With holiday packages arriving at doorsteps everywhere, scammers often send fraudulent text messages or emails claiming there’s a problem with your delivery.
These messages may say your package is delayed, your address needs to be updated, or you must pay a small fee to complete delivery.
How to protect yourself:
- Avoid clicking links in unexpected delivery messages.
- Track packages directly through the retailer’s or shipping company’s official website or app.
- Never enter payment information through an unfamiliar link.
2. Too-Good-to-Be-True Holiday Deals
Everyone loves a good deal, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But scammers create fake online stores and advertisements offering popular products at unbelievably low prices.
These websites may look legitimate, but their goal is often to steal your payment information or collect money without delivering the product.
How to protect yourself:
- Research unfamiliar retailers before purchasing.
- Be cautious of unusually low prices and high-pressure countdown timers.
- Check website addresses carefully for misspellings or unusual domains.
- Consider using a credit card for online purchases because of its dispute protections.
3. Gift Card Scams
Gift cards make convenient presents, but they’re also a favorite payment method for scammers.
Someone may impersonate a business, government agency, or even a friend and demand payment through gift cards.
Remember: Legitimate businesses and government agencies will not require you to settle debts, pay fines, or resolve account problems using gift cards.
How to protect yourself:
- Never purchase gift cards to pay someone who unexpectedly contacts you.
- Be suspicious of urgent requests for gift card numbers or PINs.
- Inspect physical gift cards for signs of tampering before purchasing.
4. Fraudulent Account Alerts
Scammers may send text messages, emails, or phone calls pretending to represent your financial institution.
They might claim there’s suspicious activity on your account, that your debit card has been locked, or that you need to verify your information immediately.
These messages are designed to create panic so you’ll respond without thinking.
How to protect yourself:
- Never share your online banking password, PIN, or one-time verification code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Avoid clicking links in suspicious account alerts.
- If you’re unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact your financial institution using a phone number you independently verify.
- Remember that caller ID and text message sender information can be spoofed.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Scam?
If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, acting quickly can help limit potential damage.
- Stop communicating with the suspected scammer. Don’t click additional links or send more money.
- Contact your financial institution immediately if you’ve shared account information or made a suspicious payment.
- Change compromised passwords and enable multifactor authentication when available.
- Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you believe your identity has been stolen, visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance on recovery.
Stay Safe This Holiday Season
The holidays should be filled with joy, not financial stress. Taking a few extra moments to verify messages, research sellers, and protect your personal information can help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
When in doubt, slow down and verify before you click, share, or pay.
At NC Community Credit Union, we’re committed to helping our members make informed financial decisions and protect what matters most.
If you receive a suspicious message or call claiming to be from NC Community Credit Union or notice unusual account activity, contact us directly by phone or through online/mobile banking.