‘Tis the season to be wary of deals that are too good to be true, emails that want to know too much about you, and fake charities that want your money too.
While the holidays are a great time for giving, cyber criminals often target them for taking – whether it’s your personal information or your money.
Here are some tips for avoiding common holiday scams
Beware of online deals that seem too good to be true.
If lesser-known sites are showing prices far below normal or if they claim to have popular products that major retailers can’t keep in stock, think twice before ordering… you could lose your money. This kind of scam tries to take advantage of your desire for a great deal.
Be cautious. You’ll be safer paying more at a business you trust and that has a good reputation. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t get stung by email scams.
These come wrapped in many ways. Some impersonate your financial institution and ask for personal or account information. And others pretend to be shipping companies, telling you they need personal information or money before a gift can be delivered. Others try to get you to download ‘free’ holiday software or to click for a special greeting. Most of the email types mentioned above are fake, and aimed at stealing your personal information, account numbers, or infecting your computer with malware. Be sure to never click on links or download files from these unsolicited emails. If you suspect one might be real, it’s always best to search for the business’s official web address or call their official phone number to see if it is legitimate. And remember, Fidelity Bank will never ask for personal information via e-mail or over the phone.
Don’t give blindly
Falling for charity scams during this time of goodwill is a common misstep. Instead of responding to charity emails or someone calling and claiming to represent a charity, find a way to donate directly to the charity of your choice. And always check to make sure a charity is legitimate before giving.
Be alert.
While you should regularly check your debit and credit card online accounts or statements for irregularities, it’s especially important to inspect them for unexpected purchases during the holidays. Report any problems immediately. And also keep in mind that it’s safer to pay with credit or debit cards instead of cash because cards provide you with consumer protection against fraud and other problems. You can easily monitor and manage your Fidelity Bank Visa® Debit Card with Card Manager. To access the features, simply select “Quick Links” from the main menu of your Fidelity Bank Mobile Banking App, then tap “My Cards”.
This season, be careful and don’t let a scam spoil a great holiday.
About Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank has built a strong history as a trusted financial advisor and continues its mission of exceeding client expectations through a unique banking experience. It operates full-service offices throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties, along with a limited production commercial office in Luzerne County and a Fidelity Bank Wealth Management Office in Schuylkill County. Fidelity Bank provides a digital banking experience online at www.bankatfidelity.com, through the Fidelity Mobile Banking App, and in the Client Care Center at 1-800-388-4380. Part of the Company’s vision is to serve as the best bank for the community, which was accomplished by having provided over 4,100 hours of volunteer time and over $1.7 million in donations to non-profit organizations directly within the markets served throughout 2022. Fidelity Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to the full extent permitted by law.
