With the holiday season approaching, the Boston Police Department is warning shoppers to be cautious of phishing attempts.
Phishing Scams Expected to Increase During the Holiday Season
Phishing emails are nothing new, but experts warn that these scams often surge during the holiday season. Scammers send messages that appear to come from trusted companies, such as Amazon or Apple, offering fake giveaways or claiming that your account has been compromised. Another common trick involves promises of “free gift cards” in exchange for personal information.
These emails are designed to steal sensitive data or install malware on your device. To protect yourself, treat any unexpected email with caution. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or visiting unfamiliar websites. Look for common warning signs of a phishing attempt, such as spelling or grammar errors, awkward formatting, or slightly altered sender addresses.
Resources & Reporting: If you have paid scammers, there are some actions you can take to protect yourself from further issues and potentially get
money back. Follow the steps below on “What to Do if You were Scammed”
- Victims are encouraged to file a police report with their local area station. Please follow the link (here) to find your local Boston area station.
- If the scammers obtained your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov
- For additional reporting victims can also file with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).