FBI warns consumers to be wary of holiday season scams

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. That is the message the FBI's New York office wants to remind consumers during the holiday season, when scammers are busy trying to steal money and personal information from consumers.

“The holidays are a busy time for shoppers, and unfortunately, for thieves,” James Smith, assistant director in charge of the FBI New York Field Office, said in a news release. “As scammers continue to perfect their skills, take time to conduct due diligence to thwart their efforts. Going directly to a reputable source is the safest way to verify the legitimacy of a transaction.”

The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center said it received reports from about 12,000 victims last holiday season that suffered a total of nearly $800 million in losses to a variety of swindles.

For sellers, the FBI said to look out for buyers who are asking for the product to be shipped before payment has been received. A red flag is when the intended buyer uses two different names when communicating and later purchasing the product.

Thieves' strategies include offering enticing deals in phishing emails and promising brand-name items in advertisements at low prices or with gift cards as an incentive. Many of the scams lead to stolen or compromised identities, the FBI saidr.

Some of the most common scams include:

• Social media posts and sites that offer vouchers for gift cards, some disguised as holiday promotions or contests. Some may be sent by what appears to be a close friend who shares a link. The scams often ask people to participate in a survey but are really designed to steal personal information.
• Gift card schemes where the scammers asks the victim to purchase gift cards for them through either a spoofed email, phone call, or text. The thieves often pose as a person in authority requesting the victim purchase multiple gift cards for either personal or business reasons.
• During the holiday season, charity frauds increase, the FBI says. Scammers set up fake charities to profit from people who believe they are making donations to legitimate organizations.

Last month, the Suffolk County Police Department released its own holiday shopping safety tips including:

• Use credit cards instead of cash when shopping in stores.
• Only purchase what you can carry comfortably.
• Park your vehicle in a well-lit area and have your keys ready when approaching your car.
• Schedule package deliveries for when you come home.
• The FBI encourages shoppers who suspect they have been scammed to file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.