With the holidays approaching, scams increase. Scam artists assume shoppers are flush with cash and are not always as alert during the holiday season. Pick pockets increase at the holidays at busy (crowded) stores and malls.
- Lock you car at malls, take a blanket to cover gifts in the back seat.
- If you get cash in a "bank envelope", be careful, pick pockets look for these envelopes in pockets and purses.
- Don't leave purse or personal items unattended when out.
- Don't play the "change game" with a person you meet. They go back and forth making change and you end up short.
- Watch out for Internet scams, they increase during the holidays. No Nigerian prince is going to send you a check. No bank is ever going to ask for personal information via email. Never give out personal information to an unsolicited email.
- Watch out for "stranded travelers" that need $20 for gas, because they lost their wallet and will send you a check when they get home. I personally got nicked on this one at an "Applebee's".
- Keep an eye on your credit card when you give it to a clerk. They can run it multiple times and keep the cash or they can run it throug a portable reader and sell your credit card number to a "scam factory".
- Be very carefull of "door to door" sales during the holidays. Many times these are designed to collect your credit card number.
- Verify and email or phone solicititations for donations are legimate.
- Becareful with your laptop during the holidays, they make good gifts. Locking cables can be purchased at Microcenter for $20. If you leave in in you car, hide it underneath something, so it's not is plain sight.
- Stop and think, if a deal is too good to be true, it is! A sure sign of a scam is the element of haste. If you "must make a decision right now", 99% sure it is a scam.
Scam artists do this for a living and they make their appearance and story believable. They will heartlessly play on your symathy and season spirit. Your only defence is not to play.
Mike Kieffer
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