WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The holiday season is usually a time for spending time with family and friends, but it’s also a busy season for scammers looking to snatch up your personal information and take your hard-earned cash. Over the years scammers have used technology to steal from unsuspecting victims, that’s why Attorney General Josh Stein is encouraging people to stay vigilant this holiday season.
Online shopping is an easy and convenient way for people to shop, especially during the pandemic — but it’s also an easy and convenient way for scammers to take advantage of you.
“Watch out for fake websites or apps that closely resemble a business or brand you are familiar with. Double-check the URL by looking for a lock icon and by making sure it starts with “https:”. Verify that you are on a trusted and secure Wi-Fi network. While it may be easy to click the “Buy” button from your phone or laptop, inputting your credit card information over public Wi-Fi could increase your chances of falling victim to scammers,” Stein said.
Scams originating on social media are also on the rise, according to the Federal Trade Commission, online scams originating from social media are the majority now.
“Online shopping topped the list of complaints from consumers who reported a scam to the FTC that originated on social media. Of these consumers, many were responding to an ad they saw on social media and reported that the item they ordered never arrived. Most of those…
