At AARP, we understand that the holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year, it is also the season of scammers and fraud. Let us help you determine what’s a deal and what’s not real this season. AARP Fraud Watch Network launched in 2013 to provide national and local information to help you, family, and friends with fraud. This resource is free and available to anyone of any age. We also host educational events throughout the year to help you understand what a scam looks like.
Here are some scams that shoppers should be on the lookout for during the holidays:
- Scammers can pose as FedEx, UPS, or the US Postal Service
- Check for misspellings from fake emails posing as companies like FedEx, UPS, and more
- Hover over the links in emails to see where it’s really taking you
- Malicious software luring you in to share a credit card number or a bank account number
Another issue during the holidays with package delivery are porch pirates, those who steal your packages off your porch and doorsteps. The best way to protect against this is to require a signature on all your package deliveries. If getting a signature for a delivery isn’t possible, they may want to choose delivery to an Amazon or UPS locker instead of the front porch of your home when no one is there.
If you want to learn more about AARP Fraud Watch Network, please visit our website at AARP.org/FraudWatchNetwork or call 877-908-3360.
