Skip to main content

Stay Ready: Avoid Holiday Scams

The holidays are here, and so are the scammers. Cybercriminals are lurking around every corner, waiting to steal your personal information and hard-earned money. The best way to protect yourself is by educating yourself. Keep reading to learn how to practice good cyber hygiene this holiday season. 

According to the Internet Crime Complaint’s 2021 Report, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost Americans more than $337 million. Credit card scams cost them another $173 million. A non-payment scam is when a seller ships goods or provides services but never receives payment. Non-delivery is when a buyer pays for goods or services online and never receives them. We hear horror stories every year, but how do we make sure we don’t become a statistic? 

The best course of action is to question everything. Always do your research and pay attention to what you’re interacting with digitally before you start clicking and giving out your card number, passwords, and sensitive information. Phishing is one of the biggest threats to your personal and financial information. “Almost 95% of breaches are due to some kind of phishing attack that happened prior,” says Roy Ross, our Chief Information Security Officer. Always check website URLs to make sure they’re legitimate sites. A telltale sign of a suspicious website is if the web address is missing HTTPS. Beware of phishing emails, texts, and phone calls. If you don’t recognize a number, do a Google search and see if it’s connected to a legitimate business. Examine the address that an email is sent from before you click on links and attachments. If it looks suspicious, it's most likely a scam. 

When making purchases, research the seller before you commit to buying. Read site reviews on their website and other sites. The seller could plant fake positive reviews on their website to cover up any evidence of a scam. Never wire money to any seller or pay with a prepaid gift card. Scammers will ask you for gift card information and drain the funds. Another pro tip is to never shop on public wifi. Never make any purchases or transactions on Wi-Fi that is not secure. Hackers wait to capture your information when you send it through these networks. 

Another good cyber habit is to stay on top of your credit card statements. Keep your receipts and compare them to your statements. If you notice suspicious activity, dispute it with your credit card company immediately. Keep your eye out for fake charities and fake freebies. Vet out organizations before you give them your money. Avoid social media ads or messages that say you won a free iPhone or other hot items. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. 

“It’s important for everybody to know how to protect themselves when they're online,” says Ross. No one is exempt from coming across scams, but you can always learn how to protect yourself from falling victim. When you educate yourself on what to look for and how to respond, you prevent hackers from stealing your holiday spirit (and private information)! 


You know how to protect yourself, but is your business safe this holiday season? #StayReady and #SecureEverything with CYBERCOMMANDER. Contact us for more information.

By Gia Tims

Comments

Post a Comment

Please no profanity or political comments.

Popular posts from this blog

Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union

Remember, you're not alone with  NCOFCU.org Join/Upgrade Check out some of NCOFCU's additional features: First Responder Credit Union Academy Financial Literacy Podcasts YouTube Mini's Blog Job Board
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Happy Holidays To All Who Serve

  Happy Holidays To All Who Serve 12/22/2025 10:28 am   By Grant Sheehan and Anthony Hernandez Every year, many Americans celebrate the joy of family and relief from work the holidays bring. Apart from the hustle and bustle, the holiday season is a special time to be with loved ones, engaging in family traditions and rituals, and making memories that will last a lifetime. However, not everyone gets to partake in the holiday gatherings.   There are over a hundred thousand military members serving in harm’s way or in 24-hour command center...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Next Gen of Payments Could Leave ACH System Behind, Bank CEO Cautions

NEW YORK–The next generation of payments could leave the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system behind as stablecoins and tokenized deposits move into the banking core, according to one bank CEO. Custodia Bank CEO Caitlin Long said during a discussion with TheStreet Roundtable host Scott Melker that the “tokenized dollars are going to be big. Yes, there’s a distinction between tokenized bank deposits and stablecoins. Yes, right now, all the activity is in stablecoins, but we’re going to link the two in a safe and sound way.” During the discussion, Long cited Citi’s upgraded forecast for the sector, which now projects between $3 trillion and $4 trillion in stablecoins outstanding by 2030, according to Yahoo Finance, which noted Long believes even that range is far too conservative. “Those numbers are still too low,” she said. “I think they’re way too low.” According to Long, the innovation lies in embedding blockchain technology directly into the banking infrastructure rath...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Sunday Reading - The gold standard, explained

  Gold Standard       The gold standard, explained A gold standard is a system where a country’s currency is pegged to, and can be converted into, a fixed amount of gold. It’s typically meant to create a sense of security in the country’s currency: When a government uses a gold standard , its currency can be exchanged for an equivalent amount of gold—although regulations around redemption vary by country.   After the Civil War, in 1873, America adopted the gold standard for the first time. At the time, if gold was priced at $100 an ounce, each dollar  rep...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Is another housing bubble brewing?

While there have been fears expressed by some of a repeat of the housing bubble that led to the housing crisis just over a decade ago, numerous real estate analysts say they believe the market fundamentals are much stronger now and that the sharp increase in home prices reflects low rates, a lack of inventory, and demographics. To be sure, the market is hot in many markets, with home sellers receiving multiple cash offers, often over the listed price, on homes. Some analysts, including those at Swiss banking giant UBS, have published charts showing how home prices are outstripping both wages and rents, reported USA Today. Home prices have appreciated more than 60% since November 2012, incomes have only appreciated by 20% and rents by 30% over the same time period, the report added. “But unlike the real estate boom that led to the Great Recession, this nationwide price spike is not being fueled by a wholesale collapse in lender ethics,” USA Today reported “There aren't any low-doc o...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Email and Text Message Etiquette

As we navigate our everyday communications, I want to emphasize the importance of practicing good email and text message etiquette. This enhances clarity and ensures that everyone feels respected and valued in our interactions. Email Etiquette: 1. Use a Clear Subject Line: A subject line that accurately reflects the content of your email will help recipients know what to expect. 2. Greet Appropriately: Start with an appropriate greeting, such as "Dear [Name]", "Hello [Name]," or "Hi [Name], which sets a positive tone. 3. Acknowledge Receipt: If you receive an email that requires a response, action, or information, please acknowledge its receipt. A simple reply confirming that you have received the email helps the sender know their message was received and provides an opportunity to clarify expectations. 4. Be Concise: Keep your emails clear and to the point. Avoid excessive details unless necessary. 5. Professional Language: Use respectful and professional l...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

NAFCU Economist: U.S. Might Dodge Recession

Curt Long said a strong jobs report shows resilience despite the Fed’s escalation in interest rates. By Jim DuPlessis | January 06, 2023 CUTimes Source: Shutterstock. NAFCU Chief Economist Curt Long said Friday the continued strength in the job market has increased the odds the nation will dodge a recession this year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday there were 153.7 million seasonally adjusted jobs in December, an increase of 223,000, or 0.1%, from November and up 3% from a year earlier. The unemployment rate was 3.5% in December, down from 3.6% in November and 3.9% in December 2021. Long said December’s rate was the lowest in more than 50 years, while the labor force participation rate rose slightly. Seasonally adjusted average hourly earnings were $32.82 in December, up 0.3% from November and up 4.6% from a year ago, a slightly lower rate of increase from previous months. Curt Long “This is an unambiguously positiv...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

With Up to 30% of Workforce to be Laid Off, Union Says ACU Refusing to Engage; Says Portion of CEO’s Salary Could be Used to Maintain Jobs

N, Wis. – America’s Credit Unions, the trade group formerly known as CUNA prior to its merger with NAFCU, plans to lay off up to 30% of its workforce in Madison, Wis., according to the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 39. As CUToday.info reported earlier, the trade group filed a notice with Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development on January 12 of this year. OPEIU noted America’s Credit Union’s had cc’d Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway on the notice, adding, “This is a difficult decision, and we appreciate any assistance you may provide to our employees in this difficult period with their job search and transition.” According to OPEIU 39, America’s Credit Unions has refused to meet or provide any detai...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

Are You Ready for the Next Wave of Mergers & Acquisitions?

Remember you are not alone with NCOFCU!  If you are consedering a merger reach out to us to see if we can't keep you within the first responder credit union network. ceo@ncofcu.org - 305.951.3306 ALM First shares key lessons and advice from credit unions with merger and community bank acquisition experience. By David Ritter & By Brandon Pelletier | April 10, 2024 at 09:00 AM Credit/Shutterstock With the pace of industry mergers already ramping up in 2024 and projected to increase, it's more important than ever for credit unions to have a predefined M&A strategy and be ready for the inevitable calls from prospective partner organizations. Here, we'll share key lessons and advice from cooperatives that have merger experience with other credit unions and acquisition experience with community banks to help your team prepare. Define Your Vision and Evaluation Criteria ...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»

One Group of Competitors Has $3 Average OD Fee

By Ray Birch LAKE FOREST, Ill.—A new study suggests credit unions should be less concerned about what big banks are doing with overdrafts and instead focus their attention on fintechs. A new report from Moebs $ervices reveals fintechs continue to grab an even greater share of the checking market, and a big reason is a $3 average overdraft fee combined with targeted marketing. “Fintechs are raking in the checking market share by going after those consumers who seldom overdraw but do so enough to add to profitability,” explained Michael Moebs, economist and chair of Moebs $ervices. “Fintechs are targeting, with one checking account, people with higher FICO scores. This is not what CUs, banks and thrifts are doing. Plus, most of the fintechs will pay interest on their checking account. It is classical financial services pricing— using fees, rates and balances.” ...
Post a Comment
Read Complete Article HERE>»