AG’s Office shares easy ways
to avoid holiday cyber scams
As the holiday rush gets busier, so do scams. Criminals know people are busy shopping, traveling, and preparing for the end of the year. According to the Director of Consumer Protection with the South Dakota Attorney General’s Office, Jody Gillaspie, education is the most important way to avoid common scam tactics.
“The strategies of scammers have changed in the last seven years. They are targeting people by spoofing phone numbers to an area code or using social media to trick people,” Jody says. “Our office sees an uptick in scams around the holiday season.”
Common fraud schemes
During the holidays, one common scheme involves scammers pretending to be a grandchild in trouble calling grandparents for help. They claim to be in jail or facing an emergency and need money right away.
They may also tell the person on the other end not to contact parents or other family members. By playing on emotions, they pressure people into acting fast.
Technology has made these scams more convincing. Deepfakes and voice modulators can mimic real voices from videos posted online. Criminals can use these tools to sound like loved ones, which makes it harder to recognize the call as a scam.
Plan ahead, ask questions
Jody says there are ways to protect yourself and your family. If you are unsure, ask questions only the real family member would know. Scammers often cannot answer details more specific than what they see online.
“You can also sit down as a family and create a code word that only your family knows. In the event that you receive one these scam calls claiming to be a family member, you can ask them for the code word,” she says. “That way, you know whether to listen or hang up immediately.”
There are usually other warning signs you can look for. Scammers can ask for money through unusual methods that are harder to trace. They can push for untraceable options like gift cards that they can either resell the codes to or use to buy other items.
Education before you click
Online shopping scams also increase during the holidays. Jody advises using credit cards instead of debit cards when buying gifts online. Credit card charges are easier to dispute, and many companies have fraud protection options, including account freezes for suspicious activity.
“There are more scams being developed each day, some involving cryptocurrency, charity donations, home repairs, and more,” Jody says. “It is important for people to stay educated so they can spot scams before they become a victim.”
Stay alert
As families spend more time online looking for deals, the Federal Communications Commission notes that scam text messages and fake shipping alerts also occur more frequently during the holiday season. If something sounds too good to be true or requires urgency, it is safest to slow down, verify the information, and contact the company or family member directly.
Staying alert and knowing the warning signs can help protect your money and personal information this holiday season. With a little preparation and taking precautions, you can enjoy the holidays with more peace of mind.
Sources: FCC, SD Attorney General’s Office
