We’re less than a week away from Halloween, but while the witches and goblins might look scary, what’s truly frightening is how much Americans are losing to scams.
Last year alone, Americans lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud, a 25% jump from the year before, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
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Every October, scammers take advantage of the holiday rush to steal your money and personal information.
The Better Business Bureau warns of fake online costume stores offering huge discounts and fast shipping. You pay, but your order never arrives, or you get a cheap knockoff.
Another trick? Bogus event tickets for haunted houses and Halloween parties. Fraudsters post fake listings or create social media events that don’t exist. If the deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Watch for emails or texts promising free candy, gift cards, or coupons. Clicking the link could install malware or lead you to a fake site that steals your login information.
Experts also warn about malicious QR codes, stickers placed over legitimate ones that can send you straight to scam sites.
Stick with official retailers, double-check website URLs, and always use a credit card for online purchases. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections than debit cards.
Ghost tapping happens when someone uses a hidden wireless card reader to “tap” your credit or debit card through your pocket or bag without you ever noticing.
An Evil Twin WiFi attack involves a fake hotspot designed to look like a legitimate network. For example it could look like an airport or coffee shop’s WiFi to trick you into connecting. Once you do, scammers can steal passwords, data or even credit card information.
Aaron Rose, with Checkpoint Software Technologies, says the best defense is to verify before you connect.
“The easiest way is to talk to someone official,” Rose said. “If you’re in an airport, go to the information desk and ask which Wi-Fi network you should be connecting to. The best thing you can do is make sure you’re on the right one at all times.”
Scams often happen when we’re distracted or in a hurry. Take a few extra seconds to double-check links, verify events and monitor your accounts.