The holiday season is a time for giving – but unfortunately, it’s also a prime time for scammers. With more shopping, shipping, and charitable donations happening online, fraudsters take advantage of the festive rush to trick unsuspecting consumers. Here’s what you need to know to keep your holidays safe and stress-free.

Common Holiday Scam Tactics

• Facebook Marketplace Scams: Be careful buying gifts through Facebook Marketplace. Fraudsters often list fake items at attractive prices or overpay for your item and request a refund. They may also ask you to move the conversation off-platform or pay through unsafe methods.
• Fake Delivery Notifications: Scammers send texts or emails claiming your package is delayed or needs address verification. Clicking the link can install malware or steal your personal information.
• Gift Card Scams: Fraudsters pose as friends, employers, or even charities asking you to buy gift cards and share the codes. Legitimate organizations will never request payment this way.
• Phishing Emails & Spoofed Websites: Holiday deals that look too good to be true often are. Fake retailer sites and emails can capture your credit card details.
• Charity Scams: During the season of giving, scammers create fake charities or impersonate real ones. Always verify before donating.
• Social Media Giveaways: Posts promising free gifts or prizes often lead to phishing links or requests for sensitive information.

How to Protect Yourself

• Stay Safe on Facebook Marketplace: Never send money before seeing the item in person. Use secure payment methods and keep communication within the platform. If a deal feels rushed or too good to be true, it probably is.
• Verify Before You Click: Hover over links in emails or texts to check the URL. If it looks suspicious, don’t click.
• Shop on Trusted Sites: Type the retailer’s web address directly into your browser instead of using links from ads or emails.
• Enable Alerts & Notifications: Use Hills Bank Online alerts and notifications to monitor transactions in real time.
• Turn Off Your Card: If you believe your debit card may be compromised, you can turn it off in Hills Bank Online to prevent it from being used until you turn it on again.
• Use Secure Payment Methods: Avoid wire transfers or gift cards for payments. Stick to debit cards – or better yet, credit cards, which typically offer stronger fraud protection.
• Monitor Your Accounts: Check your statements regularly and report any unauthorized transactions immediately.

Stay Informed

Fraud tactics evolve quickly, but awareness is your best defense. Visit our Fraud Prevention Center for more tips and tools to keep your finances safe this holiday season.