Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Scammers Looking to Target Your Wallet and Generosity
JACKSONVILLE, FL—Shoppers looking for a good deal this holiday season should also be aware of increasingly aggressive and creative online scams designed by criminals to steal money and personal information. Likewise, generous donors looking to help others in need should take steps to avoid emerging charity scams. This holiday, the FBI Jacksonville Division encourages everyone to be extra vigilant of the following schemes and red flags.
Online Shopping Scams—If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Steer clear of unfamiliar sites offering unrealistic discounts or gift cards to incentivize purchasing a product.
- During the 2023 holiday season (November 2023 – January 2024), the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 13,000 complaints of non-delivery / non-payment scams, with losses totaling over $92 million.
- In 2024, the FBI noted an increasingly prevalent scam involving the use of social media to advertise puppies for sale. Fraudsters reportedly take payment, but instead of delivering the animal, they ask for additional funds to cover veterinarian bills, etc. From January 1 through September 30, 2024, the IC3 received approximately 2,600 complaints related to puppy scams, with about $5.6 million in losses.
Social Media Scams—Beware of posts on social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards in exchange for data, even if it seems an online friend shared the offer. Some may pose as holiday promotions or contests leading to participation in an online survey designed to steal personal information. In addition, do not post photos of event tickets on social media sites as fraudsters can use the barcode to recreate resale tickets.
Charity Scams—Fraudulent charity scams are common following natural disasters and during the holiday season and may come through cold calls, email campaigns, crowdfunding platforms, or fake social media accounts. Only donate to known and trusted charities and consider making contributions directly via credit card or check. Beware of organizations with copycat names that are similar to reputable charities, and follow the Federal Trade Commission’s tips for online charity research before giving: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/how-donate-wisely-and-avoid-charity-scams.
Additional steps to avoid becoming a victim of fraud:
- Before shopping online, secure all bank and credit accounts with strong and different passwords.
- Check bank and credit card statements routinely, including immediately after making an online purchase and weeks following the holiday season.
- Only purchase merchandise from a reputable source.
- Avoid filling out forms contained in emails that ask for personal information.
- Be cautious of all e-mail attachments; scan them for viruses before opening them.
- To verify requests for personal information from businesses or financial institutions, contact those institutions via the information provided on their official website.
How to report fraud – Consumers who suspect they’ve been victimized should contact their financial institution and local law enforcement immediately. They are also encouraged to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center regardless of the dollar amount lost and provide all relevant information (www.IC3.govwww.IC3.gov).
Additional Resources – For more information on common fraud scams, visit www.fbi.gov/holidayscams. To find additional scam statistics from Florida and the U.S., review the 2023 IC3 Internet Crime Report located at 2023_IC3Report.pdf.