The best way to keep yourself free from the sting of a holiday scam is to remain alert whether it’s at the mall or in front of your computer doing the shopping at home.
The holidays are upon us and it’s a time for family friends, cheer, and good will towards others. Unfortunately, it’s also a time of year when the more unscrupulous types see fit to exploit the good will and relaxed frame of mind many people have.
Though not an exhaustive list, here are some of the more popular methods both within and outside the boundaries of the law deployed by real life “grinches” on unsuspecting individuals during the holiday season.
The Too Good To Be True Website
One of the more tech savy cons that’s getting bigger with each passing year are bogus websites set up by scammers offering luxury gifts at prices that make Black Friday deals seem like expensive splurges.
These phony sites can be set up to look just like legitimate online sales operations right down to sworn testimony from satisfied customers, official looking business seals and security stamps to make you feel at ease.
It’s a good idea to stay away from websites you don’t know about or trust. Always go with your gut instinct. If you find yourself faced with prices for top tier luxury items that seem to good to be true, they are most likely that. Check the website’s reviews on search engines or see if the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
Charity Scams
A con artist knows that playing on people’s sympathies is a great way to get them to lower their defenses. During the holidays they can use a variety of techniques to mingle among the dozens of charitable organizations seeking donations to help the needy.
Santa costumes, bell ringing, official badges, fancy authorization laminates, uniforms that imitate that of official charity collectors…there’s really no telling how far a scammer will go to convince you they are the real thing and deserving of your money.
Members of the Salvation Army and other individuals soliciting donations inside shopping centers are a good bet. Odds are they have permission from the store/property owner who has had a chance to verify their credentials. If you’re unsure of the authenticity of someone soliciting donations, the best thing to just smile and keep on walking. You always have the option of donating to a charity directly via the mail or making a donation online.
The Special Buyers Protection Warranty plan
Many times when purchasing high ticket price items in stores, salespeople will ask if you would like to add on some sort of warranty protection plan for an additional fee.
Despite offering additional warranty protection, you’re typically looking at an extra $100-200 tacked onto your purchase.
The best thing to do is decline and resist any hard sell tactics that are put your way. The key thing to remember is that majority of the items you buy will have some sort of warranty that covers the unit for a minimum period of time from the date of your purchase.
Unless you are very accident prone and can spend the money on the extra protection, pass on these overpriced product insurance plans.
Mind Your Money at the Register
Often people don’t pay attention at the register when it comes time to pay. After all, when you’ve been in the mall for three hours all you can focus on is getting the heck out of there. However, it’s at the final checkout that people often make their biggest mistakes when it comes to losing their money!
Be sure and count the change you’re given back to ensure you’re not shortchanged. Inspect your bag to make sure each and every item made it into your shopping bag. If using your credit or debit card, keep an eye on the cashiers order screen to make sure you’re being charged the right prices and amounts
We’re not saying the stores are out to scam you, but that’s not to say you’re not dealing with a seasonal cashier or clerk could care less about giving you the right change. Losing little bits of money here and there in this fashion can add up to a lot by the time the holidays are over. And who would want to get a credit card bill in February showing you were charged for TWO $2000 flat screen televisions?
Give yourself just a few more minutes to mind the details and you’ll be spared big headaches later!
Parking Lot Premium Deals
A few years ago a group of conmen went trawling in parking lots around the holidays selling flat screen televisions for what they promised were “true holiday prices.” Well, after a hurried transaction and a quick vanishing act on the part of the scammers, the dupped holiday shoppers opened the factory box, removed the bubble wrap and found themselves the proud owners of…a brand new $300 oven door.
Yes, people will sink so low as to grab boxes of poplar electronics such as game systems, laptops, personal music players, etc and put weighted items like bricks, rocks inside product boxes and carefully camouflaged with wrapping. Pair that with a smooth talking individual and with slick promises and you’ll find yourself a few hundred dollars shorter.
If you’re approached by one of these sharks on the way back to your car, decline their attempts to talk or sell to you. Ignore them as best you can and just get going. If they persist or they go on to bother other people, don’t hesitate to alert a security or police officer in the area. They might have failed with you, but that’s not to say they won’t try their act on someone else.
Pickpockets, Car Theft and You
Pickpockets and sticky fingered theives aren’t just for subways anymore. The holiday crush at shopping centers can be really distracting with the crowds, dozens of Santas, holiday decorations and more. So much in fact, you didn’t even notice the quick fingered thief who dipped into your shopping bag and made off with little Johnnys $300 Ipod.
When out shopping, keep a firm handle on your goods. Keeps bags closed by crossing handles. Wallets should be kept in front pockets, bags securely slung across your chest or shoulder and if you stop for something, keep your bag in front of you…never behind you or at your side!
Your car should also be minded as well. Sometimes we buy too much and two trips are needed to get everything in it, so it makes sense to drop some goods off at the car. If you do so, keep it in the trunk! Do not leave items out in plain view. All it takes is a quick smash of a window and the next thing you know your gifts are gone. Always set your car alarm as an extra precaution.
It’s easy to let your guard down in the interest of just wanting to get the holiday shopping over with and that’s something we’ve all felt. But the scammers know this, too, and they’re just waiting to move in. The best way to keep yourself free from the sting of a holiday scam is to remain alert, whether it’s at the mall or in front of your computer doing your shopping at home.
By taking just a few minutes to authenticate a website, consider your spending options, mind your possessions and remain aware of your surroundings, you’re already one step ahead of the holiday con game.
