COBOURG (December 5, 2024) – As the holiday season approaches, the Cobourg Police Service (CPS) would like to remind residents to be vigilant against holiday scams. Scammers often take advantage of the increased online shopping and charitable giving during this time of year to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
By staying informed and cautious, residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to holiday scams. Here are some common scams to watch out for:
- Online Shopping Scams:
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Scammers often create fake websites or listings to lure in shoppers with low prices.
- Only shop on reputable websites and verify the legitimacy of the seller before purchase.
- Phishing Emails:
- Scammers may send emails that appear to be from legitimate retailers or delivery services, asking for personal information or payment details.
- Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails. Verify the sender’s email address and contact the company directly if in doubt.
- Charity Scams:
- During the holiday season, many people are inclined to donate to charitable causes. Scammers exploit this generosity by creating fake charities.
- Research charities before donating. Use websites like the Canada Revenue Agency’s list of registered charities to verify legitimacy.
- Gift Card Scams:
- Be wary of unsolicited requests for gift card payments. Scammers often ask for gift cards as a form of payment because they are difficult to trace.
- Delivery Scams:
- Scammers may send fake delivery notifications asking for personal information or payment to release a package.
- Track your deliveries through official channels and do not provide personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
Report scams and frauds to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website has a list of known scams and information about how to protect yourself.