Better Business Bureau releases list of top Christmas scams 2022


San Francisco (KGO) — The Better Business Bureau has released a list of the top scams for Christmas 2022.

As you shop and donate this holiday season, be aware of these schemes that attempt to steal your cash and personal information.

Misleading social media ads

According to the 2022 BBB Online Scams report, online purchase fraud was the most commonly reported disadvantage in 2022. People report paying for items they never received, being charged monthly for free trials they never signed up for, or receiving counterfeit or items that were completely different from what was advertised. doing.

Read more: Tips for not losing money when shopping on TikTok this holiday

Workaround:

Check the BBB.org business profile and read reviews before ordering.

social media gift exchange

This scheme occurs every holiday season. A new version of this scam trades bottles of wine. Some suggest online he buys a $10 gift. Another twist is sending an email to a list where participants pick names and send money to “prepay” strangers. In all of these versions, participants share their personal information along with that of family and friends, and are even tricked into buying gifts and money and shipping them to strangers. It’s an illegal pyramid scheme, says her BBB.

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Workaround:

Do not participate – ignore it and report social media posts promoting it. Learn more about social media gift exchanges here.

Video: FBI warns these are the 2 most common scams in the Bay Area to watch out for this holiday season

free gift card

Scammers have been known to use the nickname “Free” to send mass phishing emails and request personal information in order to get free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate businesses and promise these gift cards as rewards to loyal customers. We may also send you pop-up ads or text with links indicating that you have been randomly selected to win a prize.

Workaround:

If you receive an unsolicited email containing a gift card offer, do not open it. Mark as spam or junk. Learn more about.

Alerts for Compromised Accounts

This is more likely to be the case during the busy holiday season. This scam claims that your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix, or bank account has been compromised. Victims receive an email, phone call, or text explaining that there was suspicious activity on one of her accounts and urging them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being compromised. Learn more about account compromise scams here.

Workaround:

Be extra careful with unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts. Claims from unsolicited communications should not be immediately believed. If you would like to check the status of your account, please visit the website directly. It’s also a good idea to understand how legitimate businesses communicate with their customers.

fake shipping notices

More online shopping means more notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are taking advantage of this new surge to send phishing emails containing links that allow unwanted access to personal information or download malware to your device. They also try to trick people into paying new shipping charges. You can read more about shipping and package fraud here.

Workaround:

Please take precautions to ensure safe delivery. Purchase shipping insurance if you are shipping valuable or fragile items to your home. Get a tracking number for your package and check the status regularly. You can also request a signature. Also, watch out for texts, calls, or emails regarding missed deliveries. Regular delivery services usually leave a “delivery unattended” notice on the door.

Read more about other top scams here.

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