The holiday season is a time of joy and generosity, but also a time of increased scams and frauds. Scammers know the holiday season can be busy with shopping for gifts online, booking holiday travel, donating to charities and more. In fact, according to this article, nearly 75% of Americans experienced at least one type of holiday scam last year. Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming a victim of holiday scams:

Be careful with gift cards. Scammers may tamper with gift cards on display racks and steal the funds after you buy them. Additionally, avoid buying gift cards and giving numbers to someone over the phone.

Read more about Scam Warning Signs here

Beware of phishing emails and ads. Scammers may send you emails or ads that look like they are legit, but they are designed to steal your personal and/or financial information. Remember to look beyond the logo!

Read more about How to Protect Yourself from Online Fraud here

Protect your packages. Unattended packages can be a target for thieves. Sign up for delivery notifications, track your packages, or even request a signature confirmation.

Avoid too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers may offer you products or services at extremely low prices, but they are selling counterfeit, defective, or nonexistent items.
Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season.