Cyber criminals target holiday shoppers
By Susie Hovater Malone
Columnist
Online scams have grown more sophisticated in recent years, making it harder for people to tell legitimate businesses from fraudulent ones.
Members of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG) heard those warnings during a recent meeting focused on online fraud and consumer safety.
Nick Vonderau, Education and Public Affairs manager for the Alabama Securities Commission, spoke to the group about how cyber criminals now use artificial intelligence to make fake websites and ads, and messages that appear to be authentic.
Fake websites, social media ads, and text messages increasingly mimic real companies, raising the risk of financial loss or identity theft for unsuspecting shoppers.
Vonderau urged people to research websites and sellers carefully before making online purchases and to remain skeptical of deals that appear too good to be true.
During the presentation, he shared several practical steps people can take to protect themselves while shopping online.
He cautioned shoppers against downloading apps in exchange for discounts, noting that fraudsters design fake apps to trick users into installing malware that allows access to information stored on electronic devices.
He also advised people to verify website addresses carefully, as scammers often create fake sites that impersonate banks, retailers, and other trusted institutions.
He warned shoppers to remain cautious about unusually low prices. If a deal appears too good to be true, it usually is.
He encouraged shoppers to go directly to a retailer’s official website rather than clicking on ads that redirect them elsewhere.
Vonderau cited the Federal Trade Commission, which reports that imposter scams are the most frequently reported fraud in the United States. Amazon and postal services remain among the most impersonated organizations.
He advised people not to respond to text messages or emails claiming a delivery problem. Instead, packages should be tracked through the official website or app of the delivery service.
He also warned against using nontraditional payment methods such as cryptocurrency, crypto ATMs or gift cards, which scammers often request because they are difficult to trace.
He emphasized the importance of never sharing passwords or personal or financial information with strangers who make contact by phone, email, text, or social media.
He recommended routinely checking bank and credit card statements, along with credit reports, to identify unauthorized transactions. Free weekly credit reports from all three credit bureaus are available at annualcreditreport. com.
He also discussed the “Gold Bar” scam, which continues to spread nationwide.
In this scam, fraudsters impersonate government officials and convince victims to purchase gold bars to “protect their nest egg,” falsely claiming that financial institutions are unsafe. The Alabama Securities Commission urges residents to remain alert, informed, and cautious.
He advised people never to provide personal or financial information to individuals claiming to represent government agencies, and never to sign documents without carefully reading and understanding them.
For information, you can contact the Alabama Securities Commission by calling 1-800-222-1253, by email at Asc@asc.alabama. gov or by going to asc.alabama.gov. The DKG chapter meeting also included an invocation presented by Dianne Pace titled “How Time Passes,” along with a dinner hosted by Gayle McAlister, Ginger Saylor, Louise Hester, Joyce Strickland, Libby Daniel and Donna Trapp and catered by Pilgrim’s Restaurant.
Members also held their annual silent auction to support the Delta Kappa Gamma World Fellowship Scholarships, which provide opportunities for international women to pursue graduate studies in Canada and the United States.
