Computers and smartphones provide heaps of useful information. However, they can also leave you vulnerable to theft and crooks wanting to gain access to your personal and financial information.
“Criminals don’t just want to steal your money, they want to take your personal info to get loans, make purchases, rent apartments, get medical services and more,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s leading independent homeowners insurance agency.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns the most common holiday scams are non-delivery and non-payment crimes. “In a non-delivery scam, a buyer pays for goods and services they find online but those items are never received. Conversely, a non-payment scam involves good or services being shipped, but the seller is never paid.”
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released a “Naughty List” with the top 12 scams of Christmas. These are the scams that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard this holiday season.
“Many of these new scams are accessed through email and social media,” says Dustyn Shroff, Vice President of GreatFlorida Insurance, Florida’s top independent homeowners insurance agency.
Misleading Social Media Ads-Check out any suspicious business profile on BBB.org.
Social Media Gift Exchange-An illegal pyramid scheme to get your personal information.
Holiday Apps-Review privacy policies and hidden fees, also some contain malware
Alerts About Compromised Accounts-Be extra careful about unsolicited calls, emails and texts regarding compromised accounts.
Free Gift Cards-Watch for phishing emails looking for personal information.
Temporary Holiday Jobs-Keep an eye out for opportunities too good to be true.
Look-Alike Websites-Be wary of emails with links enclosed.
Fake Charities-Verify a charity you are unfamiliar with through Charity Navigator.
Fake Shipping Notifications-Phishing emails to obtain your personal information
Pop Up Virtual Holiday Events-Charging admission for a traditionally free event.
Top Holiday Wishlist Items-Be careful of cheap counterfeits and knockoffs.
Puppy Scams-Request to see the pet in person before making a purchase.
GreatFlorida Insurance wishes Happy Holidays to all our valued agents as well as our appreciated customers across the state.
Keep your valuables and family protected with homeowners insurance from GreatFlorida Insurance. We have affordable, quality policies to fit your needs. Contact us today.
