Good Lifestyle

Holidays can be an eventful period, to say the least. Many of us are dedicated to finding the perfect gifts for our loved ones, and we spend hours traveling stores and websites for the best offers. But don't let your heart give you trouble this year. THE Federal investigation office (FBI) has just issued a new warning on criminals who seek to take advantage of the people who try to spread the joy of Christmas. Read the rest to discover the eight scams for which you have to be careful.

In relation: The FBI issues a new warning on the latest scams designed to "steal your money".

Your hard -won money is threatened, especially during the holiday season. In 2022, the FBI Internet complaint center (IC3) received a total of 800 944 complaints reported On online scams, the victims losing more than $ 10.3 billion in total. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

And while the total number of complaints decreased by 5% compared to the previous year, criminals manage to fly more money than ever to individuals. The amount lost last year "increased significantly" by 49%, according to the IC3 report.

The end of the year is a particularly problematic period. As the FBI explains On his website , the IC3 receives a large volume of its complaints in the first months of each year. This suggests "a correlation with shopping scams of the holiday season", according to the agency.

In relation: The crooks target people in an expensive new way, warns the FBI .

Before Thanksgiving, the FBI sent new warnings on November 21 to two of its local branches in Texas. In his Houston alert , the agency urged people to "stay vigilant against criminals who care less to give and more theft", while they start their vacation purchases. Those who "are looking for a good deal in this holiday season must be aware of the aggressive and deceptive scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information".

This is particularly important in 2023, because the Better Business Office (BBB) claims that retailers expect to see even more people shop online this year.

"When you shop online during this holiday season, pay attention to the smallest cyber-escroqueries managed by individuals or groups who seek to take your money at a time when everything you want to do is provide the perfect gift to your family," John Morales , The special agent in charge of the FBI El Paso field office, said in a press release accompanying the second alert from the agency . "The best thing you can do to be a wise buyer is to know which scams are there and take basic precautions."

In his El Paso alert, the FBI shared that there are "certain red flags and common plans" that vacation buyers can be careful and protect themselves against this holiday season. The agency has listed eight current holiday scams that you may meet this year.

The first two fall under the umbrella of "online scams".

"Scholars often offer too beautiful offers via emails, SMS or phishing advertisements," warned the FBI. "Such programs can offer brand goods at extremely low prices or offer gift cards such as an incentive."

At the same time, you must also pay attention to "unworthy sites of trust" which offer articles with unrealistic discounts or special coupons. The products sold may not be the same as the products announced, or you may end up paying something and inadvertently give personal information and credit card details, just to "receive nothing in return, except a compromised identity or stolen "the agency.

The next two opportunities for vacation scam have struck people through their social media flows. These social media purchase programs are reported by more victims than any of others, according to the FBI.

"Consumers must be wary of publications on social media sites that seem to offer good or gift cards," said the agency, noting that they may appear in two ways: "Some may appear as promotions or Holiday competitions, "warned the FBI. "Others may seem to come from known friends who have shared the link."

Be that as it may, the two scams lead to the same place, which is often an "online survey designed to steal personal information", according to the FBI.

"If you click on an ad via a social media platform, make your reasonable diligence to check the legitimacy of the website before providing a credit card or personal information," advised the agency.

In relation: 5 largest scams per mail right now - and how to stay safe .

There are other scams to watch. Many people are looking for work now in the hope of making some additional money for gifts. Unfortunately, the crooks are too aware of this and will try to take advantage of it.

"Consumers should be wary of sites and publications offering a job they can do at home. These opportunities are based on convenience as a sales argument, but can have fraudulent intentions," said the FBI. "Consumers must carefully seek publication of employment and individuals or the company offering a job."

Scholars can also try to get you through gift cards.

"During the holiday season, consumers should be careful if someone asks them to buy them gift cards," warned the agency. "In these scams, the victims received either a usurped email, a usurped phone call or a usurped text from a person as an authority asking the victim to buy several gift cards for personal or commercial reasons."

An example of this common idiot can start with a fraudulent request urging you to "buy gift cards for a work-related function or as a gift for a special occasion", according to the FBI. "Gift cards are then used to facilitate the purchase of goods and services, which can be legitimate or not."

Charitable fraud "also increases during the holiday season, when individuals seek to make gifts deductible from the end of year or remember the cheapest and wish to contribute to a good cause," warned the FBI. "Seasonal charity scams can take greater difficulties in monitoring due to their generalized scope, their limited duration and, when made on the Internet, minimum surveillance."

With this type of scam, criminals will generally set up a false carriter to steal money from people who think they donate to a legitimate organization.

"Charitable scam solicits can go through cold calls, email campaigns, crowdfunding platforms or fake social media and websites," said the FBI. "They are designed to allow victims to easily give money and feel like they make a difference. The authors can divert some or all the funds for their personal use, and those who are most in the Need will never see donations. "

In his Houston alert, the agency also alerted some people to an eighth scam they can see during the holidays. According to the FBI, this Conte generally affects sellers - so if you try to get some additional money this season by selling things via Facebook Marketplace or Etsy, be sure to be very careful.

"Keep an eye on buyers who want items to be shipped before sending payment, especially if these buyers use a name during communication and another name or a company for payment," warned the agency. "In addition, buyers who receive your goods and request a refund, but do not return the original goods can be part of a larger fraud program."

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