Being alert to holiday scams

Every christmas particularly around the days before christmas to after new year, scam operators are often working at their peak.

Typical scams and crime tactics I have heard of victims of, or been a victim myself or have seen reported by friends are listed below.

1. The parcel delivery card

Often we order things online to get a good deal, it is not unusual to forget.  sometimes people send gifts too, so you are not expecting anything but may get a card put through your door asking you to call a number in order to recieve your package.

Don't call numbers on cards put through your letterbox, often they are premium numbers disguised as regular numbers and calling will bill charges in increments to your phone.  If you get a card, it should have a reference number, go online, find the company and check that your package reference is on their site and email or chat to their staff online.

2. Door knockers 

From carol singers, to charity collectors to gas and electricity or water meter readers, we can get different people knocking. If you are home alone, and are not expecting anyone, do not answer or open your door. Marrauders operate this way. If you answer the door, they can force their way in and grab valuables injuring you in the process. Remember, you do not have to answer your door simply because your bell is pressed or door is knocked. Legitimate callers will inform you ahead of time and they will also leave a card if there is no answer

3. Card cloners

When we shop during the holidays, often there are a lot of pop up shops around here and there and many people do not carry cash these days.  Be careful where you tender your bank card for touch and go/contactless or chip and pin, many merchants use cloning devices and once you enter your pin you could be in for an expensive shock.

4. Payment inflaters

When you shop, keep a mental calculation of the prices shown on items you pick, have a rough idea how much it should be at the till, ask for the total sum, check that the machine shows the total sum you were told and that there is no cashback you did not ask for before you pay.  often if you do this, you might get shop assistants rolling their eyes, but it is not wrong and you should ask.

5. Paykeeps

applepay, apple id, whatsapp, paypal etc.. often you will get emails asking you to click to reset your id, or your payment is restricted and more other scare tactics including sometimes, tax refund notices. 

Do not click on any such emails. Go to the website for your provider and login there and contact them to ask directly if there is a problem

6. Shopping bag switches

be careful when you go shopping.  Put all your items in your bag not on the desk, make sure you take your card out of machines and be careful when you put shopping bags down or when you put them by your feet on the bus. people do not only pick pockets during the holiday

7. Cash point scam

check cash machines by tugging at the card slot before you use, cloners will often attach devices that will take your card details and swipe funds usually around your max withdrawal limit per day.

8. No refund no return

look out for pop up onnline retailers who put up notices saying you cannot return items. Consumer rights provide for this and you can return items unopened irrespective of which company.  They should refund you too. If they do not then make sure you call the bank and dispute the transaction

9. online digital game and service scam

A lot of unscrupulous characters can swipe your card information and buy digital services, keep an eye on your statements and ensure you ask who or where charges are from if you do not recognise them

10. motivational callers

people often phone up and you might not recognise the number they call from and they may even have your name. Standard protocol if someone calls you and you are not expecting a call, then do not speak until they do. If someone callls and addresses you by name, do not answer questions until they answer yours, you want to know who they are , where theyre calling from and what they want.  If any of their answers sound odd eg telling you about car or road accidents or hospital stays ets or they mention a company you never heard of, hang up and let them go find another victim.

11. Friend in distress

You might recieve a text or email or  inbox or direct message on social media from a friend telling you they are abroad and have been robbed of all their valuables and wallet and they need you to wire them money.  Do not respond. the person has probably been hacked or it is a spoof method.  If you send any money, you will be robbed.

12. Contract confidence

You get a call from someone saying they are from the bank or phone company or utility company saying they are calling to discuss your bill or your banking transactions.  Don't even waste your time, especially if they say they want to take you through security. Hang up and call the company yourself. If it is genuine, they will transfer you to the right department.

There may be more scam methods, the above are the ones i know of 

i have been a victim of cloning where i purchased something in the market and for the next four days my bank account was debited with 10 times my purchase amount twice a day every day until i noticed. It took a week to get my funds back

once on xmas eve, a female knocked my door screaming for help, when i opened it, she was not alone, along with another man, they both tried to force their way into my home. although they were not successful i never take chances again.

i once fetched a bus laden with bags from grocery and toiletry shopping and a couple got in behind me with kids and there was much commotion.  When i got off, one of my shopping bags had been pulled away from under my chair toward the back and i thought it was just the bus movement that caused it.  When i got home, half of the smaller high value items in the bag were missing.  

Happy holidays, Be safe and always tell at least one person where you are going.