Be wary of holiday scams
‘Tis the season for decking the halls, trimming the tree, singing carols and spending time with family and friends. Unfortunately, ‘tis also the season when holiday scammers are at their height, trying to take advantage of consumers’ spirit of giving.
In a special release from the Attorney General’s office, Attorney General Luther Strange encouraged the public to stay aware of the possibility of scams this season.
“The best protection against scams and crimes of opportunity is not to be caught by surprise by scammers and thieves,” said Strange. “Use your judgment and take time to verify questionable contacts. Look for the signs of a scam: They contact you, ask for your personal information and demand that you pay them by wire or prepaid card to collect a prize or pay a supposed debt. Be wary, and don’t be afraid to demand proof. Don’t be a victim of consumer fraud.”
Holiday scams are indeed an issue in the Franklin County area.
“It seems like in the last few years we’ve had reports of there being more scams going around,” said Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver. “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If it’s not something you are familiar with … be very leery of it.”
Consumers can guard against being scammed by recognizing scams that recur year after year, as described by the Attorney General’s office:
– Scammers posing as family or friends needing help: Someone might contact you by phone or email claiming a family member has been arrested or is incapacitated and needs money. The scammers will instruct you to wire cash or provide them with a prepaid card number. As a general rule, never send money to anyone if you cannot verify their identity. If you are unsure, check the whereabouts of the person reportedly needing assistance with other family members. Additionally, ask the person calling or emailing to verify details that only family would know, such as the location of the last family gathering, where they went to high school or college, etcetera.
– Fake charity scams: The Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season is a popular time for fake charity scams. These scammers often use phishing emails, spoofed telephone numbers or door-to-door visits. Scammers might act as if they are working for an established charity or might even create a fake charity. Be safe and directly contact the charity of your choice and donate to them instead. If you suspect a door-to-door solicitor isn’t honest, contact your local law enforcement agency.
– Holiday gift card scam: Christmas gift cards can be manipulated by thieves. Scammers sometimes rub off the security codes from gift cards while they are still on store shelves and wait until they think the gift card has been sold and activated. They will then spend the money, leaving the recipient with no money left on the card. To avoid this scam, make sure the gift card you are buying is intact before you buy it. Compare it to other gift cards of the same variety. Be sure to keep your gift card receipt.
The Attorney General’s office also recommended people beware of websites that feature pop-up advertising promising a hard-to-find item or items at a too-good-to-be-true price.
Additionally, shoppers should be cautious to make sure they don’t become the victims of crimes of opportunity. When out shopping for that hard-to-find gift, always park in a well-lit area; do not leave purses or valuable in plain view in a vehicle; and consider shopping with a friend or family member for added security.
Red Bay Police Chief Janna Jackson said one thing her office is dealing with right now is counterfeit bills – $1 bills that have been manipulated to pass as $20s and $100s.
“That just started here in the last few weeks,” Jackson said. She encouraged people to be aware during a cash exchange and inspect bills closely to be sure they are authentic.
To report suspected consumer fraud, Alabamians can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-5658. People can also visit the Attorney General’s website at http://www.ago.state.al.us/and click on Consumer Protection. To file an online complaint, use the link: http://www.ago.state.al.us/Page-Consumer-Protection-File-a-Complaint-01.
Anyone trying to determine whether something might be a scam can contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office or their local police department.
