Watch out for scams this holiday season!

At this time of year, many people are shopping online and getting into the giving spirit. So, it’s important to be aware that scammers take this opportunity to craft clever schemes that target online shoppers.

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Holiday scams are designed to steal money, bank information, or even your identity. That’s why this holiday season, we want to help our members stay safe when shopping for gifts.

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Here’s an overview of the most common scams you may encounter this month:

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Credit card skimming

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Whenever you shop online, be careful about which websites you use – some are set up to steal your information rather than complete your transaction.

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Credit card skimming is when someone steals your payment information after you make a purchase. Before you enter your payment details online, make sure to:

• Research and verify the website before you make a purchase. Look for online reviews to verify the credibility of the website.
• Pay with your credit card instead of your debit card. Typically, it’s easier to dispute fraudulent charges on a credit card rather than a debit card. That’s why it’s best to use credit cards when you shop online, just in case.
• Check your credit card statements often. Keep an eye on your statements to watch for any unauthorized transactions. If you spot a charge you don’t recognize, contact your credit card provider right away.

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Fake shipping notifications

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You’re probably expecting a few packages to arrive at your door this month. If you’re shopping on multiple websites, it can be hard to keep track of when each package will arrive.

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That’s what makes this particular scam so convincing. Here’s what it looks like in action:

If you ever receive texts about packages getting delivered, verify the information through the official company website before you click on any links.

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Charity scams

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Many people get in the giving spirit around the holidays. Unfortunately, this presents another opportunity for scammers to take advantage of people’s generosity and kindness.

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Before you pledge money to a charitable organization, be sure to research them first. Through the Government of Canada’s website, you can search any charity organization to find out if they are registered.

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Gift card fraud

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Don’t have time to buy a gift? It’s times like these when gift cards come in handy!

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Be wary when shopping for gift cards online. This type of fraud can take a few forms:

• You could receive a text from someone pretending to be your friend or family member, asking you to send them money by buying gift cards. After you send the gift card information, you never hear back from the scammer.
• You might buy a gift card online, only to never receive it or discover that there are no funds on it.

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If someone puts fraudulent charges on a credit card, you could call your card issuer to dispute them – but it’s more difficult to dispute gift card purchases that turned out to be fraudulent.

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If anyone asks for payment in gift cards, or you find deals for gift cards on unfamiliar websites, be extremely cautious before you make any purchases.

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Stay safe with Cambrian!

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Do you have any concerns about the safety of your account? Don’t hesitate to contact us! We’re always here to help our members stay safe.