How you can avoid holiday scams this season
While most of us hope to spend the next month spreading goodwill and holiday cheer, you can bet that some grinches are out there just waiting to take advantage of you in this season of giving.
From charity ripoffs and online phishing, to job scams and good old breaking-and-entering, the holidays are fertile territory for thieves, con artists and other assorted ne'er-do-wells.
The good news is that with an alert eye and some basic precautions, it's not hard to protect yourself from falling prey to them. Here are some tips from suburban police departments and the Better Business Bureau on what to watch for and how to avoid becoming a victim.
At the store
• Don't overload yourself with packages. Keeping your hands too full with purchases makes you an easy mark for someone looking to commit a snatch-and-grab robbery.
• Keep purses zipped and close to your body, and never leave a purse unattended.
• Keep purchases in the trunk or hidden from view in the car.
• Avoid parking next to vans and large trucks that block your space from the vision of others.
• Make a mental note or write down where you park to avoid wandering the lot with packages.
• Have your keys in hand when leaving the store, and check out the interior of your vehicle before getting in.
Online shopping
• Shop on trustworthy websites from familiar, established retailers.
• Take time to read the site's privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. It's a red flag if the policy isn't readily available.
• Be wary of unsolicited emails offering deals that sound too good to be true (because they probably are).
• Confirm your online purchase is secure - look in the address box for the "s" in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the "lock" symbol before paying. If there are any doubts, right-click anywhere on the page and select "Properties" to see the real URL (website address) and if the site is encrypted.
• Keep documentation of your order.
Waiting for a package
• Choose a shipping option that requires a signature.
• Track delivery status online and set up email or text notifications.
• Have packages sent to a location where someone you know will be available to receive it: work, family members, neighbors, etc. If you're heading out of town, place deliveries on hold until you return.
• Consider other delivery options. Some retailers will send packages to a pickup location, such as Amazon Locker or a UPS Store, or you can pick up items purchased online at the retailer's brick-and-mortar store.
• If possible, provide specific instructions about where the package should be left on your property and choose a location that conceals the item from passers-by.
• Be aware of vehicles circling a neighborhood or following delivery trucks and suspicious people trying to get into a condo or apartment complex by posing as a delivery person.
Feeling charitable?
• Before giving, check out a charity's record and reputation at websites like Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, GuideStar and the Better Business Bureau.
• Don't make donations in cash, with a gift card or via wire transfer.
• Don't be rushed into making a donation. If someone is unwilling to provide information and answer questions, that's a red flag.
• Beware of "sound alike" organizations that have names similar to responsible, reputable charities.
• Be wary of solicitations that make vague and sentimental claims but give no specifics about how your donation will be used.
• Don't be pressured into giving your credit card number. If you're uncertain, ask to have a mailer or email sent to you and you can give later through a check or the organization's website.