BBB warns of Holiday Scams

With Americans projected to spend $680 billion this holiday season. Scammers are hard at work hoping to get in on some of that cash. Here are the top holiday scams, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Imposter scams come in many different forms, but they all work the same way: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust in an attempt to get money from you. Around the holidays, when people may be feeling more philanthropic than usual, it’s important to be aware of the two most common types of imposter scams, Grandparents and Charities. The Grandparents Scam typically happens when someone claiming to be a beloved grandchild calls and asks for help, requesting money in the form of a wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card. There is usually an spike in these types of scams this time of year. The Charity Scam involves criminals taking advantage of the holiday spirit, by asking for money to help their family or claiming to be taking donations on behalf of a family or charity in need. In both of these scenarios, the BBB says the best way to protect yourself is to take the time to verify the call. Reach out to your relative or friend by phone and ask if they are really in need of help. Remember that asking for a prepaid debit card or gift card is always a red flag. These types of payments cannot be traced or retrieved and are common among scammers.