Effingham, IL -(Effingham Radio)- WITH THE HOLIDAYS HERE, MANY CONSUMERS ARE ENGAGING IN RISKY BEHAVIORS THAT COULD ALLOW THEM TO BE VICTIMIZED BY CON-ARTISTS.
TERRI WORMAN, OF AARP ILLINOIS, OFFERS THESE TIPS
- ADS, E-MAILS, AND SOCIAL-MEDIA POSTS ABOUT IMPOSSIBLY GOOD DEALS COULD BE SCAMS AND THEY SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SEND UP A RED FLAG.
- DURING THE HOLIDAYS, SCAMMERS CAN ALSO BECOME MORE COMMON WITH ON-LINE DATING SITES, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT TO BEWARE OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE MONEY, AND NOT LOVE, ON THEIR MINDS.
- MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU SHOULD ONLY SHOP ON PUBLIC WI-FI.
- IF YOU HAVE A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK ON YOUR DEVICE, AND IT’S TURNED ON WHEN YOU’RE SHOPPING ON-LINE, REMEMBER THAT YOU’RE BETTER PROTECTED WHEN USING A CREDIT CARD INSTEAD OF YOUR DEBIT CARD.
- IT’S BEST TO GET GIFT CARDS DIRECTLY FROM A STORE CLERK, OR BUY THEM ONLINE, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY’RE NOT DRAINED FIRST.
- YOU ALSO SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ‘PHISHING’ EMAILS THAT ARE SUPPOSEDLY ABOUT DELIVERIES, AND SHOULD REQUEST SIGNATURES, TO STOP THIEVES FROM STEALING DELIVERED PACKAGES FROM DOORSTEPS.
- FINALLY, BEFORE GIVING TO A CHARITY, VERIFY IT FIRST, AND BE CAUTIOUS OF UNSOLICITED REQUESTS, TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR MONEY IS GOING TO A CHARITY THAT’S REALLY USING IT FOR GOOD.
FOR MORE TIPS, VISIT aarp.org/fraud-watch-network