Beware Of Holiday Scammers, PA Attorney General Warns

PENNSYLVANIA — State Attorney General Josh Shapiro is warning people to be on the lookout for online scams that could increase during the holiday season.

The scams can involve:

• Email and text phishing in which someone receives an email or text message directing them to enter personal information on a fraudulent website.
• Delivery stealing. Shapiro advised making arrangements with a trusted neighbor to hold deliveries if no one is home when deliveries likely will arrive.
• Credit Card Skimming. Credit card skimmers steal credit and debit card information at the ATM, gas pump or other payment kiosks. Shapiro suggested that instead of inserting credit or debit card into the slot of a merchant’s payment processing machine, consider using a payment app on a smartphone.
• Online Pet Scams. Pet sale scammers pose as online retailers, charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for the puppy or kitten, plus airline and transport fees. The scammer also will often notify the purchaser that the animal is at the airport, but additional fees are needed before the animal will be delivered.
• Online pop-up advertisement. These ads can pop up on computers and mobile devices claiming a person has won a gift card or prize. Shapiro cautioned not to click on the links, as they might contain a virus or make the device susceptible to being hacked.

“Because of the pandemic, this holiday season looks and feels different than those in the past,” Shapiro said in a news release. “These scams are present all year long and it is important that Pennsylvanians remain on guard. Make sure you know what these scams look like in order to protect your money, your identity, and your personal information.”

Shapiro suggested taking preventative measures that offer protection from online retail scams. They include:

• Setting up email or text alerts with credit card companies and banks to be alerted quickly to all purchases, including fraudulent purchases.
• Installing the latest security updates and run virus scans regularly on computers or mobile devices.
• Never use a home’s smart device - such as Alexa, Siri, or Google Home - to find a customer support number for any company, and then dial it. Go directly to the company’s website, call the number on the back of the credit or debit card, or the number on the billing statement.
• Never pay with a prepaid gift card, CashApp, or Venmo or wire someone money when trying to buy a gift online. Use a credit card, not a debit card, for better protection.