The F.B.I. caveat This week is Black Friday, followed by Cyber Monday and the holiday shopping season begins in earnest, reminding consumers about online scams.
“Don't let #holiday excitement cloud your judgment! Always check the legitimacy of online retailers and be wary of unsolicited offers,” the FBI said in a filing Friday. Post to X.
“Every year, thousands of people fall victim to holiday scams. Scammers can rob you of your hard-earned money, personal information and, at the very least, your festive spirit,” the agency said on its website. added with a warning.
The FBI warned of four types of scams: Non-payment, when the purchased item has been shipped but the consumer does not receive payment. Auction fraud. If an item is misrepresented on an auction site. Gift card fraud where sellers ask consumers to use a prepaid card for payment.
2023 report Research from the Internet Crime Complaint Center found that non-payment and non-delivery fraud cost consumers more than $309 million last year, and credit card fraud cost consumers an additional $173 million. I did.
The FBI includes ways for consumers to protect themselves from scams, including avoiding clicking on suspicious links, identifying password change requests, knowing who is buying products online, and paying attention to payment methods. Things to be careful about include tracking the package and the cardholder's address.
“When shopping online during the holiday season or any time of year, always be on the lookout for incredible deals,” the FBI added.
