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Overview
Holiday scams are common during busy shopping seasons. Scammers take advantage of increased online shopping and charitable giving to trick people into sharing information or sending money.
Common Holiday Scams
- Fake shipping or delivery notifications
- Fraudulent online shopping websites or ads
- Impersonated charities or gift exchanges
Why Holiday Scams Are Effective
During busy shopping seasons, people are more likely to respond quickly to messages about deliveries, deals, or account problems. Scammers take advantage of this urgency by sending messages that appear time-sensitive or emotionally compelling.
How to Protect Yourself
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true
- Verify shipping notices by checking directly with retailers
- Donate only to reputable, well-known charities
Additional Questions
- For UM-related help, contact the UM IT Helpdesk and the UM Information Security Office.
- For personal messages or accounts, consider reporting the message to your email provider or mobile phone carrier.
- If money or personal information was shared, you may also consider reporting the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Additional Resources
FBI: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/holiday-scams