Consumer Alert: Beware of Holiday Scams

With the Christmas shopping season in full swing, thieves and con artists will no doubt be on the lookout for potential victims who are simply trying to purchase gifts for loved ones.  Don't get caught unaware of the red flags that could spoil your holiday season and potentially damage your credit history!

Recently, the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning to consumers of the hazards posed by Christmas shopping.  To make the Christmas shopping experience more enjoyable, the BBB has provided the following tips:

• NEVER shop online using a public Wi-Fi network as it is generally not secure.

• When shopping online, always look for the BBB seal and click on it to confirm its legitimacy.  Every season, the BBB receives complaints from shoppers who paid for "a great deal" online, but received nothing for it.  It is also advised that consumers stick to shopping on websites with "household names," such as Amazon.com and department stores' websites.

• When using websites such as Craigslist, the BBB advises consumers to shop locally and conduct the transaction in person.  Never wire any money as a payment!  With websites such as Ebay, research the seller extensively and always go with your instincts if the deal offered does not sound legitimate.

• Always know where your credit and debit cards are at all times!  This may sound simple, but the BBB states that shoppers can easily lose track of their wallets while juggling multiple shopping bags and packages.  It's a "golden opportunity" for identity thieves to steal your wallet and/or your credit card numbers.  Anytime you use your debit card, be sure to cover the keypad as you enter your pin number.

• Before you send any donations, research charities using the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to ensure the charity of your choice meets the "20 Standards for Charity Accountability."  Consumers should also beware of solicitations from "charities" that don't deliver on their promises or are ill-equipped to follow through on their "mission."

• Last, but not least, be weary of "phishing e-mails," which are a common way for hackers to break into your computer and steal your personal information.  Common phishing e-mails include e-cards and messages claiming to be from UPS or FedEx with links to package tracking information.  To avoid a phishing scam, do not click on or open any attachments to e-mails until you have confirmed they are not malicious and do not contain any typos and grammatical errors.  Be sure that you have current antivirus software and security patches on your computer to help further protect your personal information.

To learn more about protecting yourself while shopping during this holiday season, please visit the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau's website at http://www.wisconsin.bbb.org/consumer-tips-holiday/.  The organization can also be contacted by phone at 414-847-6000 or 800-273-1002.