Avoid Holiday Fraud

Posted on December 6th, 2019

There are many techniques that scammers try during the holiday season. The best way to protect yourself is by being cautious of your finances. Remember, NuMark Credit Union will never ask for your debit card number, PIN or CVV number (the three digits on the back of your card). If you are concerned about who may be calling you, don’t give them any information, hang up and call your bank or credit union directly. If the call was legitimate, your financial institution will respect your concern for protecting your financial information. Here are some holiday scams to look out for.

• Holiday Phishing – Beware of emails pretending to be from businesses like UPS, FedEx or major retailers with links to package tracking information.
• Dear Santa Scams – Make sure to check the reputation of the business before you commit to a service.
• Fake Puppies for Sale – Check breeders credentials through the American Kennel Club and perform an independent health check of your puppy.
• Identity Theft and ATM skimmers – Keep up with your wallet and shield any PIN entries at the ATM. Be aware that skimmers can be attached to ATMs to steal your personal information.
• Fake Data Breach Claims – Scammers will pretend to be from retailers asking for personal information. Call the merchant’s customer service number and ask to speak to the fraud department.
• Too Good to Be True Text Messages – Texts are a way for scammers to collect personal information. If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

It is better to be safe than sorry. The more you know, the less likely that you will become a victim. If you feel that you’ve been a victim of identity theft, contact your bank or credit union and visit www.consumer.ftc.gov for additional resources.