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San Francisco (CA) — The Better Business Bureau has released its list of the top Christmas scams of 2022.
When shopping or donating this holiday season, be sure to keep an eye out for these schemes that might try to steal your money or personal information.
Misleading social media ads
According to the BBB Online Fraud Report 2022, online shopping scams were the most commonly reported scams in 2022. People have reported paying for items they didn’t receive, being charged monthly for a free trial they didn’t sign up for, or receiving counterfeit or significantly different items from what was advertised.
MORE: Tips to avoid losing your money when shopping on TikTok this holiday
How to remove:
Before ordering, check out the business profile on BBB.org and read the reviews.
Social media giveaways
This scheme appears every holiday season. A new version of this scam involves exchanging wine bottles. Another suggests buying $10 gifts online. Another twist is asking you to put your email on a list where participants can choose names and send money to strangers. In all of these versions, participants share their personal information with family or friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to strangers. It’s an illegal pyramid scheme, says the BBB.
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How to remove:
Don’t engage – Ignore and report ads on social media posts. You can learn more about social media giveaways here.
Video: FBI Warns These Are the Bay Area’s 2 Most Common Scams, What to Expect This Holiday Season
Free gift cards
Scammers have been known to use the popular word “free” in sending phishing emails asking for personal information in exchange for free gift cards. In some emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies and promise these gift cards as rewards to loyal customers. They may also send pop-up ads or articles with links.
How to remove:
If you receive an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Mark it as spam or junk. You can learn more here.
Alerts about hacked accounts
You are more likely to fall for this during the busy holiday season. This scam claims that your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Victims will receive an email, call or text informing them of suspicious activity on one of their accounts, prompting them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being compromised. Learn more about hacked account scams here.
How to remove:
Be extra cautious of unsolicited calls, emails and texts. Don’t be too quick to believe claims of unsolicited communications. If you want to check your account status, go directly to the website. It’s also a good idea to understand how the legitimate business interacts with customers.
False delivery notices
More online shopping means more notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers use this new hack to send phishing emails with links that may allow unwanted access to personal information or download malware to your device. They may also try to trick people into paying a new shipping fee. Learn more about delivery and package scams here.
How to remove:
Take precautions to ensure safe delivery – If you are having an expensive or perishable item delivered to your home, purchase shipping insurance. Get a tracking number for your package and check its status regularly. You can also request a signature, and make sure to follow up on missed delivery texts, calls or emails. Legitimate delivery services will often post a “missed delivery” notice on your door.
Read about other top scams here.
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