The Holidays are a busy time for everyone, especially fraudsters. Unfortunately, we are all just one scam away from becoming the Grinch. Stay jolly by keeping one step ahead of fraudsters and learn about common scams, techniques for avoiding scams, and what to do if you are a scam victim.

8 Common Holiday Scams

  1. Wire, Mobile Payment, & Gift Card Scams
    If a purchase or donation can only be completed through wire transfer, mobile payment, or purchase of new gift cards it’s probably a scam. These forms of payment are difficult to trace and recover lost funds, making them ideal for fraudsters. The FTC says there is one key rule to keep in mind: Whenever someone demands to be paid with a gift card, it’s a scam.
  2. Charity Scams
    These scams can occur online or over the phone. Fraudsters will often rush you into the donation, trick you by thanking you for a donation you never paid for and then asking for payment, or use vague and sentimental claims to prompt the donation without providing details about how the money will be used. Always research charities before you donate and never give money by gift card or wire transfer (see #1).
  3. Package Delivery Scams
    The FCC warns of delivery notification scam calls/voicemails and texts. The text alerts often include a fake tracking link that will lead you to a website to enter personal information, or it will install malware on your device to start stealing your information. Calls and voicemails may request an extra customs fee or tax in return for package delivery. And responding to voicemails may result in high connection and expensive per-minute fees. When in doubt, contact the courier directly for accurate delivery information.
  4. Fake Gift Exchange Scams
    The BBB warns of “Secret Sister” gift exchanges that are prevalent on social media every holiday season. These scams promise participants will receive multiple gifts in exchange for sending one gift. To participate, you are asked to provide your name, address, and information about your friends. These gift exchanges are an illegal pyramid scheme in disguise. Not only will you not receive any gifts in return, but fraudsters can use the personal information provided to put you on other scam lists or commit identity theft. If you see these gift exchanges in your feed you should report the posts to the platform.
  5. Temporary Holiday Jobs Scams
    Many people pick up a side hustle to make additional holiday funds. Be wary of job postings asking you to pay for job supplies and application or training fees, ones promising high wages for routine tasks, or those that ask you to complete work for free. Always request an official offer letter and confirmation in writing that includes what the job entails and specifics about compensation before completing any work.
  6. Suspicious Email and Text Alert Scams
    Be wary of emails and texts from unfamiliar/unsolicited senders. Double check the sender’s name, email address, and phone number – particularly for misspellings or unfamiliar language.
  7. Package Thieves
    Unfortunately porch picking is becoming synonymous with packages being picked from your front porch while you’re away. Some of this can be alleviated by creating a hiding place and adding delivery notes during purchase. Another common solution is to have the package shipped directly to a delivery service store so your packages are safe and you can pick them up at your convenience.
  8. Too Good to be True Promotion Scams
    Your grandma’s advice of “if something looks too good to be true, it probably is” still holds true. We all want to snag the best deal and fraudsters are quick to use this to their advantage. Double check all websites and vendors you purchase from. Take the time to do a quick search, it will often let you know right away if the offer is the real deal.

Avoiding Scams

  1. Verify Who You’re Sending Money - research vendors and businesses before you provide personal and payment information.
  2. Take time to review payments - scammers often rush transaction to cause confusion or hide additional fees/costs.
  3. Turn on alert notifications to monitor transactions and balances. Also ensure your contact information is current in MCU Anywhere

What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed

MCU is Here to Protect You

At MCU our member security is top priority. Fraud prevention service is free and automatic to all members. There’s no need to sign up or take any action. Learn more about the measures we take to ensure you and your funds are fully protected.