CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As the holiday season enters its final stretch, federal agencies are urging consumers to remain vigilant against online scams that could drain their wallets.
According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, scams involving non-payment and non-delivery resulted in more than $309 million in losses last year. Credit card fraud accounted for another $173 million.
With shoppers hunting for last-minute deals, the FBI warns that fraudulent websites and social media posts are common tools for scammers. Their top advice: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
When shopping online, consumers should ensure a website’s URL begins with "https," indicating a secure connection. If it doesn’t, the FBI advises against entering credit or debit card information.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adds that pre-paid gift cards should never be used for online purchases unless the legitimacy of the website or seller is confirmed. Scammers often request gift card numbers and PINs, using them to steal funds instead of completing a transaction. The FTC emphasizes that no legitimate company will ever ask for payment via gift cards.
The FBI also suggests checking debit and credit card statements regularly during the holiday season. They say there's a surge in complaints to their Internet Crime Complaint Center early each year, indicating a pattern of scams tied to holiday shopping.
The FTC warns that scammers don’t stop after the purchase. Fake shipping texts and emails have become a common way to exploit unsuspecting shoppers awaiting package deliveries. These messages may claim a delivery attempt was made and prompt recipients to click a link to reschedule or risk having the package returned.
Other messages feed on your fear and create a sense of urgency prompting you to respond before they return the package back to the sender
The FTC advises against clicking on any links in unexpected shipping messages. Instead, consumers should visit the retailer’s official website to check the status of their order.
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