12 DAYS OF SCAMMING



'Tis the season to shop, especially online. Scientists refer to this time of year as holiday euphoria, meaning, the closer consumers get to buying deadlines, the more distracted they get and the less likely they are to follow the necessary precautions to stay scam-free. During this time, consumers have a higher propensity to shop on websites that have no security, buy without doing research, make purchases on websites that have sprung up overnight, use weak passwords, and click on social media sights offering 'good deals'.


The best defense against scammers is you. Staying web-safe means employing all the tips we've provided over the years. If you need a reminder of safe online buying click here for tips.



Don't let potential scammers take the fun out of the season. Have fun shopping for that perfect gift, but make sure you don't add a scammer to your gift-giving list.

Happy Holidays from all of us at the Denver District Attorney's Office.


Beth

DON'T LET A HO-HO-HOAX SPOIL

YOUR HOLIDAYS

Scammers are hoping to put YOU on their shopping list this holiday. This time of year is a scammer's dream. As holiday shopping deadlines approach, consumers become less diligent in watching out for scams and fake merchandise. The following are common missteps that consumers fall for during the holiday shopping season. Don't end up being a victim of a scam because you aren't paying attention. Click on the headline in each box to learn more.

CLICKED ON A TEXT FROM AMAZON


Fake texts or message updates can look like these. Many of the texts have attachments or links to sites that will download malware on to your computer or phone to steal your identity and passwords. Remember, company logos are easy to copy and paste in to a website or text.

FELL FOR A GIFT CARD SCAM


 No real business or government agency will ever insist you pay them with a gift card. Anyone who demands to be paid with a gift card is a scammer. 

BOUGHT A PUPPY ONLINE


The BBB reports that 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake. Do your research only purchase from a reputable dealer.

HOLIDAY VACATION RUINED BY A SCAM


What's worse than making vacation plans and having them ruined because you booked through a fake website or booked a fake hotel?

SHOPPED ON A FAKE WEBSITE


Just because a website looks good doesn’t mean it’s real. Websites are easy to create and scammers often use a name similar to a real business.

FOUND AN AMAZING DEAL ONLINE



Scammers often use words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency can make readers take action without thinking. So think twice about buying from an ad that promotes "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining."

DIDN'T USE 2 FACTOR AUTHENTICATION



Taking steps to keep your password secure is an important first line of defense against hackers. But the best way to protect your accounts is to use two-factor authentication, sometimes called two-step verification or multi-factor authentication.


USED A DEBIT CARD INSTEAD OF A CREDIT CARD


Click here to read the ten reasons why you should use a credit card versus a debit card. Those who paid with a credit card or PayPal were less likely to lose money.


USED THE SAME PASSWORD FOR EVERYTHING


If you have not changed your passwords recently or are using the same password for all your accounts, start the New Year off right by changing all of them.

BOUGHT DIRECTLY FROM A SOCIAL MEDIA SITE


Scammers can easily fake a persona or a company or a product and place those on a social media platform. All you have to do is 'click" and you have just given up your personal information.

FELL FOR A

GRANDPARENT SCAM

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If you haven't heard of the grandparent scam by now, read up. This scam happens every day. Scammers are good at convincing you that the caller really is a relative in trouble.

GAVE PERSONAL INFO TO A CALLER POSING AS AN OFFICAL


You may not be able to tell right away if an incoming call is spoofed. Be extremely careful about responding to any request for personal identifying information. If you don't know who is calling, don't answer!


Do you suspect you've been scammed or exploited? Report it to us by calling our Fraud Hotline.


Contact

The Denver DA's

FRAUD HOTLINE

720.913.9179

Denver District Attorney's Office | 303-913-9000 | 201 W. Colfax Ave. | DenverDA.org
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