Skip the scams this holiday season: AARP Oregon has tips on how to steer clear of the top rip-offs
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- While many of us take time off during the holidays, scammers don’t rest. According to a new AARP Fraud Watch Network report, fraudsters work even harder during the festive season.
Last year, individuals in Oregon lost a total of $97.5 million to fraud, the organization says.
“Every day, we hear new ones,” says Carmel Snyder, AARP Oregon's director of Community Outreach & Advocacy.
When faced with a deal that is too good to be true, Snyder encourages people to take a step back. “The good deal is going to be there tomorrow, or even later in the day, just check with someone and make sure that it’s legit.”
Top Scams of 2024
Online Shopping Scams
The holiday shopping season brings an influx of fake websites and advertisements that mimic trusted brands, but they are fraudulent. These scammers attempt to lure you into paying for products or gifts that never arrive. Beyond being knowledgeable and cautious of these tactics, Snyder advises shoppers to use a credit card whenever they are shopping online.
“It’s a lot easier to get your money back with a credit card than it is with a debit card,” says Snyder.
Charity Scams
While the season of giving inspires kindness and generosity, it also offers scammers a chance to target unsuspecting individuals. Legitimate charities make a big push at the end of the year for last-minute donations—scammers know this.
“Don’t just give willy nilly,” says Snyder, “you need to do your research”. Make sure organizations are not illegitimate charities by using sites such as Give.org, CharityNavigator.org, or CharityWatch.org.
Gift Card Scams
Gift cards are a popular gift, making them a prime target for scams, with gift card draining being one of the most common. In this scam, criminals take cards from the rack, record their information, and return them to the retailer. Once the money is loaded, they quickly drain the funds—sometimes before you even leave the store. To protect yourself, purchase gift cards that are kept behind the counter or directly from the retailer’s website.
How to Report Scams
If you’ve lost money or you have information about the scammer, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, and your state attorney general. Not every complaint leads to enforcement action, but the information can help officials spot trends and sometimes identify the criminals.
Call the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360, to speak with trained fraud specialists. Toll-free service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET or access an online support session.
Stay Informed
Receive updates through the AARP Fraud Watch Network about new scams with the AARP Watchdog Alerts newsletter, sent biweekly by text and email.
