Lethbridge Police offering tips to avoid holiday scams

Talbot continued, “Before you give out your credit card number or send any other form of payment, check your package tracking information to determine the delivery company and then contact them directly to inquire if any additional payment is due.”

PACKAGE THEFTS

Police say package thefts are also common during the holidays.

The LPS advises residents to make sure their packages are not left on their doorstep. Police suggest arranging for a delivery time when you are home, if possible, or have items sent to the workplace, or a friend who will be available to accept delivery.

Additionally, the LPS said residents should make a habit of checking their mailbox regularly to ensure no mail is stolen. If someone is sending a holiday cheque, police suggest they drop off their cheque and card, and any other valuable mail items directly at a post office. If that’s not possible, residents are encouraged to drop off items like cards and cheques in their community mailbox as close to the scheduled pick-up time as possible.

The LPS said if you are going to be away from town, ensure you suspend mail delivery or have a friend check your mailbox daily.

ADDITIONAL SCAMS

Lethbridge Police also noted various other scams making the rounds. These include:

Gift card tampering – this is where scammers attend retailers and apply a fake barcode over the top of the original. When scanned to activate the card, the money is loaded onto a different card, leaving the purchaser with an unusable gift card. Police suggest purchasing digital gift cards, or make sure to inspect cards purchased from retailers for signs of tampering (stickers over top of barcodes, textures that don’t match the rest of the card).
Secret Santa – the LPS said residents might have noticed gift exchange posts on social media feeds stating that they only have to send one gift to receive multiple back. Police say these exchanges collect personal information and also hide pyramid schemes.
Counterfeit merchandise – this is where websites are created to look like legitimate manufacturers and offer products at a significant discount. Police say “if it sounds to good to be true, it is”. The LPS advises that residents thoroughly research a site before making a purchase.
Fake charities – the LPS said scammers “prey on goodwill” during the holiday season. Residents are advised to ensure a charity is registered before providing any personal or financial information.
Online shopping – police say fraudsters will pose as genuine sellers and post fake ads for items that do not exist. The LPS said the listing price is usually “an unbelievable deal”. Citizens are advised to research before they buy, avoid paying upfront and when possible, exchange goods in-person.
Emergency – police say this is when a supposed loved one reaches out to a potential victim because they need money for an emergency, and the potential victim is the only one they trust to keep it a secret. Police advise people to resist the urge to act immediately and take all steps to verify the identity of the individuals by asking questions only the real family members would be able to answer correctly.
Prize notifications – this is when a potential victim receives an email, message or letter saying they have won a prize but need to pay a fee upfront to claim in. Police say to not pay that fee.
Cryptocurrency scams – this is where fraudsters use social media and fraudulent websites to lure investors. The LPS said prior to investing, citizens should ask for details about the investment, research the organization and verify if the company is registered.

The RCMP has also issued a warning to residents, urging citizens to take caution when donating to charities over the holidays.

Read more Lethbridge News Now.

by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge Police offering tips to avoid holiday scams

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