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Tag: holiday scams

  • Prince George’s police warn holiday shoppers to stay alert for online marketplace deals and gift card scams – WTOP News

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    Authorities also recommend never going alone to meet a stranger. Bringing a friend or family member adds an extra layer of safety and can help spot red flags.

    Police in Prince George’s County, Maryland, are urging residents to slow down and take extra precautions when buying or selling items online during this holiday season, particularly through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where scams and risky meetups can quickly turn dangerous.

    Officer Chaudlier Shepherd says one of the most important steps is verifying who you’re dealing with before agreeing to a transaction. That includes checking for a legitimate profile photo, reviewing the seller’s account history and, if possible, calling a listed phone number to confirm the person is real.

    Authorities also recommend never going alone to meet a stranger. Bringing a friend or family member adds an extra layer of safety and can help spot red flags. Above all, police say residents should trust their instincts — especially when a deal sounds too good to be true.

    “If someone is offering a $1,000 TV for a dollar, that should raise immediate concern,” Shepherd said, noting that unrealistic prices are often tied to scams or setups meant to lure victims into unsafe situations.

    To reduce risk, officials encourage completing online transactions at police stations. Many departments allow residents to meet in parking lots or even inside station lobbies. In some cases, officers may be available to stand nearby during an exchange, providing an “extra security blanket.”

    Police are also reminding shoppers to stay vigilant when purchasing gift cards, a popular target for scammers. While Prince George’s County Police say they have not seen a recent spike in gift card tampering, residents are urged to examine cards closely before buying them.

    If a gift card appears scratched, altered, or otherwise damaged, police recommend returning it immediately and requesting a refund or replacement. Scammers can sometimes drain gift cards before they’re purchased by tampering with the packaging.

    Authorities say most scams still originate through phone calls, emails, texts or online messages, and they encourage residents to pause, verify information and report suspicious activity.

    For more safety tips or to report a scam, residents can contact the Prince George’s County Police Department.

    And, by the way, don’t leave any gifts in your car, either.

    WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report. 

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  • Warning to shoppers to be on the lookout for scams during the peak holiday season

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    As the holiday season approaches, scammers are increasingly targeting consumers, prompting agencies and lawmakers to take action to protect the public. Ed Bartholme, chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, said scammers “adapt their messaging and their pitches to what is out there in the news to make it seem more real.” The Federal Communications Commission proposed new rules in October to provide consumers with more information about incoming calls. Bartholme explained, “I think we’re all familiar with caller ID on our phone. We know that sometimes those numbers are spoofed. We, for the past couple of years, we’ve been working to make sure spoofing doesn’t happen.”Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire is investigating the rising rate of scams, especially during the holidays. “I’ve talked to lots of people in New Hampshire who have been victims of scams, some of them have lost their life savings,” Hassan said. Hassan emphasized the vulnerability of consumers during this time, stating, “I really just want people to be aware that they’re targeting you this time of year because they know people have saved up money and they know they’re shopping, and people are really vulnerable right now.”According to the Joint Economic Committee, scam activity surged last year. It reports phishing emails mimicking major U.S. retail brands like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy increased by more than 2,000% during the peak holiday shopping period. Black Friday and Cyber Monday phishing scams rose by nearly 700%. Hassan warned, “We want people to know some of the websites that may pop up on your screen are scam websites. They’re designed to make you think you’re buying from a legitimate retailer.”Bartholme advised consumers to be cautious, saying, “Once you start to feel that pressure, that’s a sure sign that it’s likely a scam call and the first thing to do is to just disconnect.” If you suspect you are being scammed, you can report fraud to the FTC on its website or contact your local police department. Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:

    WASHINGTON —

    As the holiday season approaches, scammers are increasingly targeting consumers, prompting agencies and lawmakers to take action to protect the public.

    Ed Bartholme, chief of the FCC’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, said scammers “adapt their messaging and their pitches to what is out there in the news to make it seem more real.”

    The Federal Communications Commission proposed new rules in October to provide consumers with more information about incoming calls. Bartholme explained, “I think we’re all familiar with caller ID on our phone. We know that sometimes those numbers are spoofed. We, for the past couple of years, we’ve been working to make sure spoofing doesn’t happen.”

    Sen. Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire is investigating the rising rate of scams, especially during the holidays. “I’ve talked to lots of people in New Hampshire who have been victims of scams, some of them have lost their life savings,” Hassan said.

    Hassan emphasized the vulnerability of consumers during this time, stating, “I really just want people to be aware that they’re targeting you this time of year because they know people have saved up money and they know they’re shopping, and people are really vulnerable right now.”

    According to the Joint Economic Committee, scam activity surged last year. It reports phishing emails mimicking major U.S. retail brands like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy increased by more than 2,000% during the peak holiday shopping period. Black Friday and Cyber Monday phishing scams rose by nearly 700%.

    Hassan warned, “We want people to know some of the websites that may pop up on your screen are scam websites. They’re designed to make you think you’re buying from a legitimate retailer.”

    Bartholme advised consumers to be cautious, saying, “Once you start to feel that pressure, that’s a sure sign that it’s likely a scam call and the first thing to do is to just disconnect.”

    If you suspect you are being scammed, you can report fraud to the FTC on its website or contact your local police department.

    Keep watching for the latest from the Washington News Bureau:

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