It’s that time of year again when deals and steals work hand in hand. Online shopping is a breeze but consumers need to steer clear of pet scams, infected pizza, and phony payment plans. Here’s a look at some of the latest themes and schemes that will have buyers saying “No! No! No!” instead of “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
Warm fuzzy puppies can make a great gift for responsible pet lovers. Unfortunately, devious scammers use pictures of non-existent animals as a ploy to lure unsuspecting buyers into deals that deplete funds and causes heartache when the promised pet doesn’t appear. Never purchase a pet sight unseen and be leery of requests for additional charges for shipping, insurance, and unsubstantiated vet fees. Check out the facility where the dogs are kept and contact the American Kennel Club if purchasing a purebred dog. Be cautious of any deal that sounds too good to be true.
Pizza is the go-to choice for many families during the hectic holidays. Recently people in several states have received emailed coupons offering free pizza from Pizza Hut in honor of their “55th Anniversary” and the offer really is too good to be true. The coupon contains malware and if downloaded will cause damage to your computer system. Before clicking on the offer look at the sender’s address. Is it from Pizza Hut? Does hovering over the coupon show pizzahut.com? Did you find the email in your junk folder? Is Pizza Hut advertising the special deal on their website? If in doubt, toss it out!
PayPal is a convenient way for sellers and buyers to conduct payment transactions online. Scammers often “spoof” (impersonate) legitimate business sites in an effort to get your personal information and PayPal is not immune. Beware of generic greetings in emails listing PayPal as the sender. PayPal addresses each email with the full first and last names of their customers or the actual business name. They do not send attachments nor do they request bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, or passwords. If you suspect any suspicious activity on your account visit www.paypal.com or call 1-888-221-1161. Forward questionable emails to spoof@paypal.com.
It seems each year we need to learn something new in order to protect ourselves and loved ones from fraud. Please share what you know with others. Safety is a great gift and it’s free!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!