Seven Holiday Shopping Scams CyberGuy Says to Watch For

Fox News, in a CyberGuy column by Kurt Knutsson, lists seven holiday shopping scams and ways to protect yourself from each.

Snapshot

Kurt Knutsson's CyberGuy column for Fox News walks through seven holiday scams, from fake deals and delivery texts to gift card demands, sham charities and marketplace fraud, with warning signs for each. His core advice is to verify purchases directly with trusted retailers, pay by credit card, turn on purchase alerts and report any fraud promptly, while accepting that security software cannot catch everything.

Key points

• Fake deals and stores: Prices such as 80% off on popular items can signal a scam. A fake store may add a word like "outlet" to a brand name. A padlock icon does not prove a site is legitimate.
• Delivery and order notices: Fake delivery texts may ask for your address or a small fee. The Postal Service says it charges no redelivery fee. Order-problem emails may list a phone number that reaches a scammer.
• Gift cards and charities: Demands for gift card numbers are strong signs of fraud. The column suggests checking charities with CharityWatch or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
• Marketplaces: Scammers may ask for payment before you inspect an item or move the conversation off the platform.
• If you were scammed: Contact your payment provider and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Quick take

Knutsson recommends checking purchases directly with retailers you trust, paying by credit card and turning on purchase alerts. He also recommends security software, while noting it cannot stop every scam.

Read the full story at Fox News.