CHARLOTTE, N.C. –U.S. Attorney Dena J. King issued a warning today to alert consumers about a potential uptick in online scams during the holiday season, and cautioned against financial schemes that target older adults. To further the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s efforts to protect seniors from online scams, federal prosecutors hosted a game of Fraud Bingo today, to educate older Americans about online fraudsters and internet schemes that specifically target the elderly.
“December is the month of giving, but it’s also the time of year when cybercriminals try to take advantage of consumers, quickly turning a joyous season into a living nightmare,” said U.S. Attorney King. “Whether shopping online for a gift, choosing a charity for a donation, or applying for seasonal work to earn extra money, it is imperative for everyone to stay vigilant against online scams and identity theft schemes. It’s important for all of us to do all we can to protect our hard-earned money and our personal information from financial predators.”
2023 Holiday Scams
According to the FBI’s 2022 Internet Crimes Report, North Carolina is ranked among the top 20 States for online financial fraud, both in the number of victims and in monetary losses. The report notes that in 2022 Americans lost a combined total of over $281 million to internet scams, including online shopping and “non-delivery” schemes, that generally spike during the holiday season.
Here are the most common scams that consumers may encounter during the holiday season this year:
Fake Online Stores or “Lookalike Stores.” Be on the lookout for online stores that are either entirely fake or made to look like a legitimate store. Watch out ..
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