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Twin Cities, MN
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Keep Your Holiday Scam-Free

Posted on 12/15/24

Many common scams take on new looks around the holidays as criminals ramp up their efforts. AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM has you covered. Explore our collection of free tools and resources, so you know what to watch out for this season.

Top holiday scams of 2024

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Online Shopping Scams
Bogus websites and social media campaigns that impersonate major brands. These fake posts and ads entice you to spend money for products you’ll never receive. “We have seen an increase in consumers buying from social media without doing their research. Most social media ads are not vetted,” warns Nofziger. “Be careful when you see an item offered at below market price. If you do click on an ad, make sure it directs you to the page you want to be on. Often times you are directed instead to a 3rd party vendor.”

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Package Delivery Scams
As holiday packages crisscross the country, scammers send out phishing emails and texts disguised as UPS, FedEx, U.S. Postal Service notifications about incoming or missed deliveries. Links lead to phony sign-in pages asking for personal information, or to sites that may be infested with malware.




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Charity Scam
Sham charities exploit Americans’ goodwill during giving season via fake websites and pushy telemarketers. Telling the difference between a real charity and a con can be challenging. Legitimate charities make a big push at year-end for last-minute annual donations. Scammers know this and make their own end-of-year push to line their pockets.



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Gift Card Scams
Gift card draining is when criminals steal gift cards in bulk off the racks, collect the information off the card and return it to the in-store rack for unsuspecting buyers. Once you load money on the card, the criminal will drain the money off, even sometimes before you leave the store. It’s safest to buy cards that are kept behind the counter, or directly from the retailer’s site.




When it comes to fraud, knowledge gives you power over scams. Count on AARP Fraud Watch NetworkTM for insights and guidance that boost your scam radar during the holidays and every day.

Stay Informed
Stay informed about new scams with the AARP Watchdog Alerts newsletter, sent biweekly by text and email.
Find Support
If you've been targeted by scams, get guidance on next steps from a trained fraud specialists. Call the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360, toll-free, M-F, 7 a.‍m. to 7 p.‍m. CT or access an online support session.
Have a Voice
We advocate for laws and regulations to stop scams and fraud attempts. We also voice consumer concerns and help shape the public discussion on fraud.

This story is provided by AARP Minnesota. Visit the AARP Minnesota page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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