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Click Here to DownLoad PDF Version: FYI191216.pdf
“Avoid the 12 Scams of Christmas” flyer from the Better Business Bureau is attached. Download the full flyer by clicking on the link above.
Some highlights of most common scams here in Lincoln Hills:
Grandparent Scams Seniors should be cautious if they get a call from a grandchild claiming to be in an accident, jail, or hospitalized while traveling abroad. Never send money unless you’ve verified it with another family member.
Unusual Forms of Payment Watch out for vendors requesting prepaid debit, gift cards, or wire transfers for payment. Odd forms of payment are a red flag for potential scams.
Phony Charities This scrooge-y scam is built on taking advantage of the holiday spirit of giving. Verify the charity through Give.org before donating and look up the charity at Charitynavitgator.org to make sure they’re going to spend your money responsibly.
Fake Shipping Notifications Scammers create fake shipping notification emails that are almost indistinguishable from real ones. Keep your original shipping notices to compare tracking numbers with any new notices, and be extra suspicious if you’re not expecting a package.
Travel Scams As with other scamming methods, be wary of unsolicited emails from unknown companies, and don’t wire money to anyone you don’t know.
In Lincoln Hills we have also seen bogus emails from friends claiming to need you to buy gift cards for them because they are out of town.
Another current scam is an email from a friend asking if you are having trouble with your Amazon account.
If you receive either one of these, call the sender and let them know. They will have to get a new email address.
Consider changing your email account password when you check your smoke detector batteries or on some other regular basis.
Scams are not going to happen to you – until they do!
Discover Neighborhood Watch Alerts in three easy Steps:
- Find us at sclhwatch.org .
- Click on Alerts, just above the photos. There you will see all the Alerts sent out since the new website went live in June, 2018.
- Click on SECURITY in the menu bar with the brown background. Review many flyers dealing with safety tips.
Mary Cranston
Alerts Program Coordinator
Email: SCLHAlerts@watch.lincal.org