The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and giving. Unfortunately, it's also a prime time for scammers looking to take advantage of the festive rush. With more people shopping online, traveling, and donating to charities, the opportunities for fraud are abundant. Here are some of the latest holiday scams to watch out for in 2024 and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Fake Shipping Delivery Notifications
With the increase in online shopping, fake shipping notifications have become more common. Scammers send messages that appear to be from legitimate shipping companies, claiming there's an issue with your delivery and prompting you to click a link or provide personal information.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Track shipments through official sites or apps.
• Never click on links from unsolicited emails or texts.
• Be cautious of messages with urgent language or misspellings.

2. Phone Number Spoofing
Phone number spoofing is a tactic where scammers disguise their phone number to appear as a trusted contact or organization. During the holidays, they might pose as delivery companies, charities, family members in distress, or even your financial institutions.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Be skeptical of unexpected calls, even if they appear to be from a known number.
• If someone claims to be from a company or government agency, hang up and call back using a number you can verify from an official source.
• Never give out personal details like your Social Security number, account numbers, or passwords over the phone.

Remember: Justice Federal will NEVER call, email or text you to ask for personal information (i.e. card info, PIN number, passwords, etc.). If you receive this type of request, hang up and call us at 800.550.5328.

3. Holiday Travel Scams
Scammers often target travelers with fake deals, bookings, or exclusive travel packages. These offers can seem too good to be true and often are. They lure victims into providing personal information or making upfront payments for non-existent services.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Book directly with verified airlines, hotels, or reputable travel sites.
• Be wary of deals that seem unusually cheap.
• Avoid unsolicited calls, emails, or texts claiming exclusive deals or free trips. Verify information directly with travel companies.

4. Fake Online Retailer Websites
Scammers create fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers to steal your money and personal information. These sites often offer products at significantly lower prices to attract buyers.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Verify the website's URL and look for secure connections (https://).
• Read reviews and check for contact information.
• Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.

5. Holiday Charity Scams
During the holiday season, many people are in the giving spirit, which scammers exploit by creating fake charities. They may contact you via phone, email, or social media, asking for donations.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Research charities before donating.
• Donate through official charity websites.
• Be wary of high-pressure tactics and unsolicited requests for donations.

6. QR Code Scams
Scammers use fake QR codes to direct you to fraudulent websites where they can steal your personal and payment information. These codes are often disguised as discounts, contests, or holiday promotions.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources.
• Confirm any discounts, contests, or promotions with official retailers.

Staying vigilant and informed is the best way to protect yourself from holiday scams. Always verify the legitimacy of offers, notifications, and requests before taking action. By following these tips, you can enjoy a safe and scam-free holiday season.

Happy holidays, and stay safe!