Beware of Scams! – especially at Christmas

We all risk becoming victims of scammers at some point in our lives but, sad as it is, it is more likely to happen at a time like Christmas.
We tend to be busy and distracted, spending a lot of time online buying gifts or thinking about booking our winter sun holidays and ski trips.
It can be all too easy to forget all the sensible advice, and even ignore your instincts and sixth sense when in a hurry and not thinking clearly.  Always be wary of giving any personal information over the phone or online. Never give bank details or agree to pay money unless you are absolutely sure it is legitimate.
Unless you are absolutely sure it is legitimate, never, ever, give out any personal information without checking. If the call seems genuine, why not ask for their number and say you will call them back. If the number does not connect, or if the company you are supposed to be in contact with has no idea what you are talking about you will have saved yourself a headache – and a bundle of cash.  Always be wary of:

• Cold callers – on the phone or at your door
• Being asked for payment upfront for anything
• Signing anything that you do not fully understand

Telephone Credit Card Scams:  The scammers may say they are with Visa or MasterCard, or another company, and already have a lot of your personal information.  What they will be after is the three-digit security code from the back of your card.  They may even claim to be from the credit card company’s ‘fraud’ department and go on to say that they have a record of one of your purchases being flagged up as suspicious.  When you deny the purchase they offer to credit the amount back to your account.  The scam happens when they tell you they need to verify that you have the card and it has not been lost or stolen - and ask for the security numbers from the back of the card.
At this time of the year scammers may set up a website offering the season’s ‘hottest’ toys or products.  The item may be sold out in shops and hard to get hold of, so this can be an easy scam to fall for.  However, once you hand over your money the scammers disappear – along with the website – and your gifts.  Once they have your credit card information you may find yourself the victim of further fraudulent charges to your card – so report it to your card provider immediately.
Be wary of clicking on links in unsolicited emails – especially if they ask for personal information.  Instead type in the website address yourself to make sure it is correct.  Remember that your bank will never send an email asking for your password and log-in information!
When shopping online use a credit card, not your debit card, as there is some protection for use of credit cards.
Beware of Charity scams. At this time of the year they may try to take advantage of your compassionate nature and ask for ‘donations’.
Holiday E-Card Scams:  Receiving an email from an unknown or anonymous person, perhaps just signed as ‘a friend’ is likely to be a scam.  Once you click on the link you could expose yourself to all manner of spyware and nasty viruses.
There are far more scams out there than we can begin to mention here, so visit websites of organisations like Crimestoppers, Get Safe Online, Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), and Watchdog.