As the holiday season rapidly approaches, you may be finalizing the final touches on your plans to celebrate. However, you may also want to give back during this time. If this is the case, you’re not alone – nearly one-third of all annual donations are received in December. Unfortunately, many thieves and criminals are also aware of this fact and use the generosity of others to take advantage of them. However, charities aren’t the only targets, so understanding the most common holiday scams is imperative to ensure you give to legitimate organizations. The following blog explores what you should be alert to and how a Los Angeles, California identity theft lawyer can help if you are a victim of a scam.
What Scams Should I Be Alert During the Holidays?
As mentioned, charity scams are among the most common to occur during this time. Thieves will prey on the kindness of others, posing as legitimate charities to take donations and personal information from good-hearted individuals. Unfortunately, due to the number of organizations out there, it can be hard to crack down on these thieves. As such, taking the time to ensure the charity you wish to give to is a legitimate organization is critical. Not only does this help protect your information, but it also ensures your donations are going to those in need.
Another common scam you may encounter during this time is fake shipping notices. As many shop online for holiday gifts, receiving a text that your package encountered problems can be concerning. However, it’s imperative to understand that a large majority of these communications are scams. Signs that it’s a scam include formatting and spelling errors, suspicious links, or claims that something “illegal” was found in the package. You should not click any links as they can be used to steal your information. If you have concerns about the package, contact the seller directly or go to a legitimate carrier website to contact the logistics company.
Other common scams during this season include gift card scams, online shopping phishing sites, and even holiday job scams.
What Can I Do if I’m a Victim of Holiday Scams?
If you have reason to believe your identity has been impacted due to a holiday scam, taking the appropriate steps to protect yourself is critical. Generally, one of the first things you should do is place a credit freeze on your account. This helps prevent additional accounts from opening in your name, as the creditor must confirm your identity before proceeding. You should then contact all impacted parties, like your bank, credit card carrier, and creditor to report the theft. Finally, you should file a dispute with the credit reporting agencies to have any fraudulent information on your report removed.
Filing a dispute in these circumstances can be complicated, as you’ll need to ensure you take the necessary steps to file a thorough and complete dispute so the reporting agency can conduct an effective investigation. As such, it’s in your best interest to connect with an experienced consumer defense attorney. At Los Angeles Legal Solutions, our firm understands how anxiety-inducing it can be to find your information has been compromised. That’s why our firm is ready to help. We can assist you in filing the necessary paperwork to fight for the best outcome possible. Connect with us today to learn more.
