Better Business Bureau warns of the 12 Scams of Christmas this holiday

2022 is right around the corner, and that means the craziness of the holiday season is here. Add in labor and product shortages, along with shipping delays, and the end of 2021 is expected to be more hectic than usual. While everyone prepares for the added stress of this holiday season, it is important to remember that scammers are aware of the added difficulties this year presents too, and they will use this stressful time to take advantage of people.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula has twelve scams it would like residents to watch out for this holiday season and tips on how to avoid them:

1. E-Cards: These are a popular alternative to physical Christmas cards, however, scammers are also using them as a way to retrieve your private information. If the sender’s name is unclear or the email is asking you to share personal information or pay money to open it, it may be a scam. If your email has an attachment that ends in “exe,” it could contain a virus or some form of malware.

2. Social Media Gift Exchanges: Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online. Another twist asks you to submit your e-transfer email into a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to “pay it forward.” In all of these versions, participants unwittingly share their personal information, along with those of their family members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals. And—it’s an illegal pyramid scheme.

3. Holiday Apps: Apple’s App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve, or relay their Christmas wish lists. This holiday season, when COVID-19 is causing kids to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee. Free apps can also contain malware.

4. Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on Scam Tracker about a con claiming your Amazon, PayPal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Victims receive an email, call, or text message which explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails, and texts.

5. Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings good cheer like the word “Free.” Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting that you share personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Starbucks and promise gift cards to loyal customers that have been supporting their business throughout the pandemic. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner for a prize. If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened the email, do not click on any links.

6. Temporary Holiday Jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity. However, jobseekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for opportunities that seem too good to be true.

7. Look-Alike Websites: The holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales, and bargains. Be wary of the emails you receive, and the links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike websites that are created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, and sharing private information. If you are uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover over them to see where they reroute.

8. Fake Charities: Typically, 40% of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of the year. Donors need to be on the lookout for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Responsible organizations will welcome your gift tomorrow as much as they do today. Verify your charity at BBB’s give.org or on the Canada Revenue Agency website. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.

9. Fake Shipping Notifications: With more consumers making purchases online, there is also an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick you into paying new shipping fees.

10. Holiday pop-up shops: These temporary storefronts allow shoppers to avoid enclosed spaces while still getting to browse in person. Indoor pop-up shops allow landlords to fill vacant retail space in downtown areas and suburban malls. If you are buying from a seasonal store, ask whether it will be open after the holiday and whether it will accept returns when the season is over. If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.

11. Top Holiday Wishlist Items: Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. Be very cautious if you are considering purchasing these high-value items from individuals through social sites.

12. Puppy Scams: Many families, especially those with children, may be considering adding a furry friend to their household this year. However, you could fall victim to a pet scam. Do your research and request to see the pet in person, if possible, before making a purchase.

To stay up-to-date on the latest holiday scams and news, visit bbb.org/holiday.