Consumer Watch: How to avoid holiday online scammers

Ellen Phillips
Ellen Phillips

Last week, we mentioned online retail for gift shopping. While this venue can be less expensive and definitely less stress on one's feet, don't forget scammers are also shopping online – with your confidential information. While these vile creatures always seem to be one step ahead of us, if we're very careful, our smarts can help ensure the swindlers fall enough behind to protect our bank accounts. Check these out.

Don't fall for fake online retailers. Let's say your kiddo finally made his mind up the week before Christmas and absolutely must possess the coveted VTech Kidizoom Smartwatch DX. Somewhat of a bargain at $64.99, you can't find the sucker anywhere. But wait. Ta-Da! Upon Googling the item, the former takes you to a never-heard-of site that just "happens" to offer the smartwatch. Before inputting your credit card information, though, please remember that fraudsters come up with a gimmick a minute - in this case, the creation of online stores that offer the hottest items of the holiday season just so they can snatch your personal info. Read customer reviews on this unfamiliar website (assuming any reviews exist) and check for a Better Business Bureau report at bbb.org. Moreover, never ever buy with a debit card or a wire transfer; if truly a scam (and likely it is), you'll more than likely get your money returned if using a credit card.

Speaking of the bad guys collecting personal and financial info, be alert for a text, email, or social media message, supposedly arriving from a major company and offering a discount or free shipping, for example. Just click on the link and you'll be on your way (on your way to disaster, that is). As I've always advised, never click links; instead, type the address into your browser for safety's sake. Otherwise, that link can be just slightly off, so slightly, in fact, that the purchaser doesn't give it a second look. For instance, the real macy.com becomes macys.com. Then, here pounces the malware to collect all your confidential data, as well as logins and passwords for the future. By typing in the legitimate address, if this wonderful sale is, indeed, a reliable one, it will be advertised.

Most of us order at least some gifts online; this year's Black Friday and Cyber Monday bear this fact out. Obviously, the package(s) will arrive via FedEx or UPS, if not by the postal service. Scammers, knowing we're anxious to receive these parcels, then step in to "help" us. Emails and now texts begin to appear; At the same time, a "message" from our so-called bank asking for proof of identification fools us into divulging user names, passwords, and credit card details. Once you've (Oh, no!) divulged these crucial figures, the malware strikes. Fraudulent communications occur the most between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Smart thieves (and they surely are smart to come up with all these schemes) watch everything you do on your computer – especially outside the home and on public WiFi - and learn how to access your email and bank accounts. What these creeps are really looking for with bated breath is our Social Security number. Once they obtain this sacred figure, they know the sky's THEIR limit. Never respond to the emails or call phone numbers you receive by text. Alternatively, check the shipping source's website (again, type in the address in your own browser) or that of your bank to find customer service's phone number or chat function. When we initiate the call rather than the reverse, we're assured about reaching a legitimate person.

When in doubt, always "Reach out and touch."

Contact Ellen Phillips at consumerwatch@timesfreepress.com

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