Tips To Avoid Holiday Scams

DANVILLE, CA – As the holiday season moves in and folks are shopping online, the Danville Police Department today shared advice from the Department of Homeland Security to help residents avoid running afoul of internet scammers.

Here are tips from DHS:

• Use caution when browsing the internet, shopping online and using email.

• Avoid clicking on links or opening attachments in unsolicited emails. https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-0...

• Be wary of fraudulent social media pleas, calls, texts, websites and door-to-door solicitations for donations to charities. This is especially valuable now with so many wanting to donate to victims of the Camp Fire. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/ho...

If you believe you are a victim of a scam or malware campaign, consider the following:

• Contact your financial institution immediately, and close any accounts possibly compromised. Watch for any unexplained charges to accounts. https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST05-0....

• Immediately change any passwords you might have revealed, and avoid reusing previous passwords. https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-0....

• Report the attack to the police, and file reports with the Federal Trade Commission and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Have a safe and happy holiday season, from Patch!

ALSO SEE: Holiday Tree Lightings, Parades & Events: SF Bay Area 2018

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