Archive: Business & Technology

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York wants everyone to have a scam and stress free experience so we have compiled the “10 things you need to know this holiday season” list to make everyone aware of common scams.

1. Star Wars counterfeit goods and tickets. Star Wars: Episode VII-The Force Awakens is due out in theaters Friday. Many Star Wars fans purchased tickets early for the premier, which means there could be fake tickets floating around the secondary market or in your inbox. People tell BBB an email that looks official tells them they won tickets to the premier, but all the email does is steal your information. Merchandise sales for the upcoming film are expected to be staggering opening the opportunity for all kinds of bogus products sold online and elsewhere.

BBB advice: Use caution before you buy. Check out the sellers for authenticity and purchase your tickets at the movie theater box office or on an official ticket website. Remember, if you don’t get tickets for the premier, it’s OK…there will be more showings of this highly anticipated film.

2. Chip credit card ploys. By now, many people have received a new credit or debit card with the new EMV chip technology, or they know one is on its way. Unfortunately, scammers know this, too. Be on the lookout for scams regarding the new chip credit card. The most prevalent scam is an email allegedly from a bank or other financial institution telling you to confirm your information for a new chip card. If you share personal information, the scammer can use it to possibly commit identity theft. If there is a link and you click on it, you may download malware to your device. Scammers use malware to steal your personal information, send spam and commit fraud.

BBB advice: Delete any suspicious emails and call your bank or credit card company to ask questions, or to let them know.

3. Look-alike websites. When shopping online you may find a great deal, but do you know the company? It’s easy for websites with well-known names and logos to go up today and be gone tomorrow with your credit card information.

BBB advice: Make sure to use only legitimate websites with secure encrypted checkouts and check for privacy policies. Ethical companies will post how they may use your activity and information from their site. Watch out for URLs that use the names of well-known brands along with extra words.

4. Gift cards and gift certificates. The National Retail Federation says over $31 billion was spent on gift cards in 2014 and 93 percent of U.S. consumers purchase or receive a gift card annually. Recently, the U.S. Secret Service arrested several individuals who were allegedly connected to gift card fraud.

BBB advice: Only purchase gift cards and certificates from the source and load the card with the value you want to give. Always check the terms, potential fees and expiration dates. Also, check to see if a gift card is good for purchases both online and in person. If you buy a restaurant gift certificate, make sure it is on solid financial footing, since no one wants to miss out on that meal.

5. Social media gift exchanges. While gift exchanges grow in popularity during the holiday season, BBB advises people to use caution when choosing a gift exchange in which to participate. According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service's gambling and pyramid scheme laws, gift chains like this are illegal and participants could be subject to penalties for mail fraud.

BBB advice: If you don’t know the people, don’t participate. It’s best to not give your address or name to strangers.

b The holiday season is also a time for giving to charity. It’s also a prime time for scammers. While you are shopping, charities may be set up nearby asking people to donate, or you may receive phone calls or emails asking for an end of the year donation.

BBB advice: Always verify the charity before giving and check it out at bbb.org. BBB offers hundreds of local Charity Reviews and many more nationwide. Charities are evaluated using BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. Keep in mind a legitimate charity will always take your money the next day. Don’t fall for a high pressure pitch and don’t be afraid to tell them “I want to check you out” before you give.

7. Wi-Fi hot spots. Everywhere you look people are using devices, most of which need to access the Internet. Free Wi-Fi may sound great, but hackers can take advantage of shoppers and travelers as well, since airport Wi-Fi is in high demand. Some free and other fake Wi-Fi connections are designed to steal your personal information without you even knowing it.

BBB advice: Connect securely and disable automatic connections. Never connect to an unfamiliar wireless network even if the name sounds genuine. Make sure that your devise or computer is not set up to automatically connect to any wireless networks within your range to prevent your system from automatically connecting to a hacker network without your knowledge.

8. Travel scams. Many people plan out-of-state trips over the holidays. From hotel tricks, dream packages at low prices, vacation rental spoofs or overbooked claims when you arrive, nothing can ruin your holidays more than a travel scam.

BBB advice: Do your research. Scammers can easily hijack legitimate online listings, make fake Facebook pages and make it look like a legitimate brand. Deal directly with the property owner or manager and be sure to verify that the property actually exists. Be vigilant about possible fraud and check, check with bbb.org and other trusted sources. Never give out credit card numbers or personal data until you verify the source.

9. Fake shipping notifications. You bought all kinds of gifts and now you’re waiting for them to arrive. Don’t get caught in the final stretch by a phishing scam! These notices can have attachments or links to sites that will download malware on your computer to steal your identity and your passwords.

BBB advice: Don’t be fooled by a holiday phishing email claiming a problem with your payment method, account or a delivery issue. The messages often use urgency to get you to act quickly with the aim to install malware and steal your personal information. Don’t do anything until you verify! Contact the company independently to confirm the claim before getting caught in the hype.

10. Unusual forms of payment: Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for holiday purchases using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, third parties, etc. These payments cannot be traced and cannot be undone. Use a credit card on a secure website; look for https in the address (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and the lock symbol.

BBB advice: Start with trust. Always protect your personal information, use honest and ethical businesses and verify who you are doing business with. Remember once your cash is gone, it’s gone, and this is true when using your debit cards, too.

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