With the holiday season fast approaching, it's essential to stay vigilant, particularly when it comes to the uptick in scams that often target seniors during this festive time. Various holiday scams abound, including fraudulent charity donations, gift card scams, fake shopping websites, and deceptive emails or phone calls claiming to be from your bank or the IRS.
Understanding Holiday Scamsdonation
The first step to safeguarding yourself against holiday scams is understanding what they are. Fraudulent charity donation scams prey on the generous spirit of the holiday season. It tricks kind-hearted seniors into donating to phony charities. Gift card scams, another common holiday scam, involve a scammer convincing an individual to purchase a hefty gift card as a form of payment for non-existent services or debts. Fake shopping websites can also look incredibly real, offering tempting holiday deals that are too good to pass up.
Recognizing Holiday Scams
You need to recognize the warning signs. Fraudulent charities often use names similar to well-known organizations, so double-check the details before you donate. Gift card scams are a red flag when the person demands the gift card as the sole form of payment. Websites with poor grammar, spelling mistakes, and prices that seem too good to be true should raise alarm bells for fake shopping websites. Moreover, phishing emails often try to create a sense of urgency or use scare tactics to pressure you into providing your information.
Tips to Avoid Holiday Scams
Now for the most important part: how can you protect yourself? Here are a few tips:
Learn More About the Charity
When it comes to charity donations, always verify the legitimacy of the organization. Seek out their official website and contact them directly to confirm the nature of their fundraising activities. Charity Navigator is a website that can tell you if a charity is legitimate or not.
Hang Up on Suspicious Phone Calls
In the case of phone calls demanding gift cards as payments, remember: no reputable organization or agency will ask for payment in gift cards. Immediately hang up without giving out any information.
Verify Online Security
For online shopping, ensure the site has 'https' in the address, which signifies it's secure. Look out for clear contact information and terms and conditions. If anything feels off, trust your instincts. Also, do not enter your card details on any site you're not entirely comfortable with.
Avoid Calls Claiming to Be From Your Bank or the IRS
Emails and calls that claim to be from your bank or the IRS and ask for personal information should always be treated with suspicion. Your bank or the IRS will never call you out of the blue asking for sensitive information.
Senior Helpers Greater Cincinnati Safeguards Seniors
During the holiday season, it's essential to stay vigilant and protect ourselves and our loved ones from potential scams. Be alert, be informed, and don't hesitate to ask for help from trusted family or friends. The most important thing is to enjoy the holiday season with peace of mind, knowing you are safeguarded from scams.
If you or a loved one are located in Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Cincinnati, or Milford and need support this holiday season, don't hesitate to reach out to us at Senior Helpers Greater Cincinnati. We are here to help ensure your safety and well-being.