Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Miami warned consumers Wednesday to stay alert for holiday scams as criminals take advantage of the busy shopping season. These scams are designed to steal money and personal information, and shoppers are urged to stay vigilant.
According to the FBI, two of the most common scams during the holidays are non-delivery and non-payment crimes.
Last season alone, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 13,000 complaints related to non-delivery of goods, with losses exceeding $92 million between November 2023 and January 2024.
“The FBI urges consumers to protect themselves from scammers looking to cash in this holiday season,” said Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Miami Field Office in news release Wednesday. “If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert and enjoy the holidays safely.”
The FBI highlights also several scams to watch out for:
Online shopping scams: Fraudulent deals shared through phishing emails or fake advertisements.Social media scams: Offers for gift cards or vouchers that direct users to surveys aimed at stealing personal information.Smartphone app scams: Apps disguised as games that collect personal data.Work-from-home scams: Job offers online promising convenience but intended to defraud participants.Gift card scams: Fake requests via email, text, or calls asking for multiple gift card purchases.Charity scams: Fraudulent charities preying on people’s goodwill.
To protect yourself, the FBI advises:
Practicing good cybersecurity habits.Ensuring you know who you’re buying from or selling to.Being cautious about payment methods.Monitoring shipping details.
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact your bank immediately, notify local law enforcement, and file a complaint with IC3 at www.IC3.gov. For additional tips, visit www.fbi.gov/holidayscams.
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