With Halloween fading in our rearview mirror and Black Friday swiftly approaching, we find ourselves entering the holiday shopping season. This year, forecasters expect holiday shopping to reach record levels as consumers throughout the country find the perfect gifts for loved ones, host family gatherings, make holiday travel arrangements, or open their hearts and wallets to charities. Unfortunately, this time of year also ushers in an increase in reported fraudulent activity.

MC Federal Credit Union would like to share some common fraud schemes that may be used to take advantage of you this season:

1. Gift Card Scams: Gift cards are a quick and convenient way to check a loved one’s name off your shopping list; however, you should be cautious when purchasing gift cards online. Scammers may attempt to sell you fraudulent or “empty” gift cards or charge you excessive processing fees. Additionally, you should watch for communications from individuals claiming to be bill collectors asking for payment via gift cards.

Tip: If you purchase gift cards this holiday season, do it in person at MC Federal Credit Union, directly at the retailer, or another reputable business. If anyone demands payment via gift card, assume it is a scam, refuse to participate, and do not respond to further communications.

2. Social Media Ads Leading to Fake Online Stores: Ads on social media platforms typically are eye-catching and offer seemingly great deals on products; however, they are increasingly used by scammers to steal your financial and personal information. Often, the victim will be directed to a legitimate looking site, add items to their cart, and enter their payment and shipping information to complete their purchase. Unfortunately, the site is fake, the product is never received, and the victim’s financial information is stolen.

Tip: If you see an offer through a social media ad that seems enticing, visit the company’s legitimate website to verify that the offer is real. You can also use valid contact information on the company’s website to confirm the details of the advertisement. It is always safer to make your purchase directly through the company’s website, rather than a social media ad.

3. Fake Delivery Notification: It is common for retailers to send alerts regarding the status of a delivery; however, scammers will also send fake delivery alerts via email or text message, usually notifying you of a problem or delay with shipping. The intent is for you to click on a link in the communication. This will either cause malware to be installed on your device, or the scammer will ask for updated payment information to process shipping, thereby stealing your financial information.

Tip: Do not respond to or click on links in delivery notifications. If you have questions or concerns regarding the delivery of your order, visit the company’s legitimate website and log into your account or call their customer service center.

4. Charity Scams: Like many Americans, MC Federal Credit Union understands the importance of being generous throughout the year, and especially around the holidays. Regrettably, taking advantage of our generous nature is another path scammers use to commit fraud. The scammer may contact you directly by phone, email, or text message and claim to represent a charity organization and ask you to donate.

Tip: Stick with well-known charities that you have donated to in the past. If you do want to give money to a new charity, do so through their legitimate website, or search for them on public websites such as Charity Navigator. Do not donate money via Gift Cards or cryptocurrency.

5. Fake Giveaways or Special Offers: Scammers use enticing giveaways or special offers to hook potential victims. The scammer may send a legitimate looking communication that appears to come from companies such as Amazon or Apple offering free gifts. The goal is to get the victim to click on a link which may install malware on your device or steer you to a page to enter your personal information, including payment information for a processing fee or shipping costs.

Tip: Any communication you receive regarding giveaways or special offers should be treated with caution. Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited communications. If you have questions about the offer, use legitimate contact information on the company’s website.

These are just a few of the many tools scammers may use to interrupt your holiday season. If you receive a suspicious communication, never click on links, do not open attachments, and never utilize the contact information provided in the message. Always communicate with the company using information you are familiar with or located on the company’s legitimate website.

You can learn more about how to protect yourself and your family by visiting our website, mcfcu.org, and reviewing our Security page. There you will find Fraud and Security Alerts, Fraud Prevention Tips, and more tools to keep your personal and financial information safe.

Never hesitate to contact a member of our team when something does not feel right. We are here to assist you by phone at 800.834.0082, by secure message in Digital Banking, and in person at our local branches.

Thank you for being an important part of the MC Federal community. We wish you a happy, healthy holiday season!