Protect Yourself From Holiday Fraud: What You Need to Know This Season

The holiday season is right around the corner and while many of us are preparing for family gatherings, shopping, and celebrations, fraudsters are preparing too. Scams and fraudulent activity increase significantly during this time of year, and staying informed is your best defense.

How Fraudsters Target Consumers During the Holidays

Fraud continues to evolve, and one of the most common threats today involves social engineering—when someone pretends to be a trusted source in order to steal personal information. Two of the fastest-growing tactics are vishing (voice phising) and smishing (text-message phishing). Criminals may use text messaging or various messaging apps, such as WeChat, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger. They often use technology to disguise their identity or even mimic local phone numbers. Their goal is to build trust quickly, create a sense of urgency, and pressure you into sharing information such as:

• One-time passcodes
• Account details
• Personal identification details
• Payment information

How You Can Protect Yourself From These Scams

• Shop Securely: Use only trusted websites. Avoid entering payment details on unfamiliar or suspicious sites.
• Use Secure Networks: Always shop online using a secure Wi-Fi connection or VPN.
• Avoid Skimming Devices: Prioritize chip or contactless payments. If a terminal forces a swipe, it may be compromised.
• Limit Personal Information Sharing: Avoid oversharing online, as personal details can be used to guess security questions.
• Verify Deals: Be cautious of “too good to be true” offers via email or SMS. Confirm promotions directly with the retailer.
• Monitor Financial Activity: Regularly review account statements and credit reports. Consider enrolling in a credit monitoring service.
• Update Contact Information: Ensure your financial institution has your current contact details and respond promptly to fraud alerts.
• Protect Physical Mail: Monitor your mailbox and shred sensitive documents, including pre-approved credit offers.
• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Employ different secure passwords for financial accounts, social media, and mobile devices.

How We Help Protect Your Account

Behind the scenes, our fraud-prevention team is continually monitoring your transactions for unusual activity, especially during the holidays. Our advanced tools look for patterns that may suggest fraud, including:

• Unusual spending behavior
• Suspicious card activity
• Attempts to change your contact information
• High-risk online transactions
• Irregular mobile wallet or contactless payment use

Stay One Step Ahead This Holiday Season

Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated, but staying informed and taking a few extra precautions can go a long way toward protecting your personal and financial information.

As always, we’re here to support you. If you ever receive a suspicious message, have concerns about your account, or want to learn more about preventing fraud, please contact us. Your security is our priority.

Wishing you a safe, secure, and happy holiday season!