Special to IFN

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is warning the public of a potential uptick in cyberscams during the holiday season and is cautioning everyone, particularly older adults, to remain alert against cybercriminals targeting online consumers..

“The holiday season is a time for joy and generosity, but it’s also a time when cybercriminals seek to target unsuspecting consumers and exploit increased online activity,” said U.S. Attorney Dena J. King. “Whether you’re buying gifts, donating to charity, or searching for a seasonal job, staying vigilant against online scams is the best way to keep the spirit of the season merry and bright.”

2023 Holiday Scams

According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crimes Report (IC3) North Carolina ranked in the top 15 states for online financial fraud, both in filed complaints and monetary losses. The report indicates that last year $12.5 billion in financial losses were reported to the FBI. The report also indicates that IC3 received complaints about online shopping and “non-delivery” schemes, which generally spike during the holiday season.

Here are the most common scams that consumers may come across this time of the year:

♦ Fake Online Stores or “Lookalike Stores” — Be on the lookout for online stores that are either entirely fake or made to look like legitimate stores. Watch out for red flags, such as deeply discounted prices especially for in-demand items, like electronics, jewelry, and clothing. Be particularly careful with social media ads that link to bogus online stores or product listings. These scams target shoppers looking to buy luxury or hard-to-find items at an affordable price. Consumers may end up with stolen credit card information or paying for an item that is never received.

♦ Missed Delivery/Non-Delivery Notification — With the rise in online shopping, lots of packages arrive at our front door during the holiday season. Beware of fake delivery notification emails or text messages alerting you of a missed package delivery. Think twice before clicking on the link provided in a text or email, as it may direct you to a website designed to steal your information. Make sure you pay attention to the domain address of the link to ensure it is a reputable delivery site and be especially cautions with delivery websites that ask for your personal or payment information to complete a package delivery.

♦ Gift Card Scams — These scams involve either scamming consumers into buying fake gift cards or tricking consumers into using gift cards to pay for fraudulent goods or services. For example, avoid online stores or advertisements that purport to sell commercial gift cards at deeply discounted prices. While they may have you believe you are buying a gift card on sale, in fact you may end up receiving a gift card with zero money value. Instead, purchase gift cards from reputable retailers.

♦ Fake Charities — During the holidays, cybercriminals seek to take advantage of consumers’ generosity through fraudulent charities, GoFundMe campaigns, and other charitable causes. These types of scams can be particularly difficult to decipher, so before donating money be extra cautious about selecting a charity. If donating online, research the charity thoroughly, check with the Better Business Bureau, and take a look at the charity’s URL and website for telltale signs of fraud, including misspellings, bad grammar, and no contact information. For GoFundMe type of donations research the organizer or the group behind the campaign making a donation.

♦ Phishing Emails or Texts — Cybercriminals take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to dupe consumers via phishing emails or texts that contain suspicious links. Be particularly mindful of purported communications from your bank or credit card company, warning you that your account has been compromised. These phishing emails or texts generally prompt you to click on the provided link to log into your account to update your compromised information, so scammers can steal your information. Also avoid clicking on emails that promise free giveaways, prompt you to claim a prize, or ask you to confirm a reservation or other booking. If you receive this type of communication do not use the provided link. For example, if it’s an email related to a compromised bank account, instead of using the link in the email, go to your bank’s main website to log into your account.

♦ Fraudulent Seasonal Jobs — Employment scams tend to increase during the holiday season, as scammers prey on individuals seeking to make extra money. Be mindful of fake job ads, especially online job listings that offer really good money for very little work. Do not ever pay upfront for any equipment or training you need for a new job. Also, do not readily provide your personal identifying information (social security number, date of birth, address, etc.) or your financial and banking information without confirming the job is legitimate. Be particularly mindful of money mule schemes, in which a fake employer asks you to cash a check through your bank, keep a portion of the money, and then send the rest of the money back to the employer.

Scams Targeting Older Adults

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also cautions that older adults are particularly vulnerable of becoming victims of online fraud, not only during the holidays, but throughout the year. According to the FBI’s IC3 2023 report, adults 60 years and older reported the highest monetary losses, with a combined $3.4 billion lost to financial fraud.

As part of the ongoing efforts to educate older adults about online scams and financial fraud, today the U.S. Attorney’s Office co-hosted a scam alert seminar in Charlotte, during which participants received important information about financial fraud. Following the presentation, attendees participated in a game of “Fraud Bingo,” a fun activity designed to deliver information and practical tips on how to prevent the financial exploitation and victimization by scammers.

“Online scams targeting the elderly remain a growing concern in North Carolina,” said U.S. Attorney King. “It’s our duty to protect our vulnerable older population from financial fraud and prevent its devastating financial impact on seniors. Fraud Bingo is a fun and engaging way to deliver information that can help older adults understand how scammers operate, learn the tactics they use, and find out how to protect themselves from financial harm.”

Some examples of financial fraud targeting older Americans are:

♦ Lottery Phone Scams – in which the callers convince seniors that a large fee or taxes must be paid before they can receive lottery winnings.

♦ Grandparent Scams – which convince seniors that their grandchildren are in trouble and need money to make rent, repair a car, or even money for bail.

♦ Romance Scams – which lull victims to believe that their online paramour needs funds for a U.S. visit or some other purpose.

♦ Tech Support Scams – which convince victims to pay for non-existent problems with their computers.

♦ IRS Imposter Scams – which defraud victims by posing as IRS agents and claiming that victims owe back taxes.

♦ Sham Business Opportunities – which convince victims to invest in lucrative business opportunities or investments.

Here are some tips that can help avoid falling victim to a financial scam:

♦ Don’t share personal information with anyone you don’t know.
♦ Don’t pay a fee for a prize or lottery winning.
♦ Don’t click on pop-up ads or messages.
♦ Delete phishing emails and ignore harassing phone calls.
♦ Don’t send gift cards, checks, money orders, wire money, or give your bank account information to a stranger.
♦ Don’t fall for a high-pressure sales pitch or a lucrative business deal.
♦ If a scammer approaches you, take the time to talk to a trusted friend or family member.
♦ Keep in mind that if you send money once, you’ll be a target for life.
♦ Remember, it’s not rude to say, “NO.”
♦ A good rule of thumb is, if it’s too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.

To report elder fraud please call the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). If you believe you are the victim of an online scam call the FBI and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov or contact local law enforcement.