Three More Scams to Avoid
The holiday season brings out the best in many people, but certainly not all. Many good-hearted people want to help those who are sick and in need by donating to charities during this time of year. Scammers, however, set up fake online charities, collecting thousands of dollars from unsuspecting people who think they are donating to a worthy cause.
Researching charities ahead of time and donating only to those that have been proven to be reputable is one answer to this despicable scheme. Another is to remember that you should never click on a charity link online. Looking up the charity on a search engine and manually typing their address will help you avoid fake links
Another scam involves deceptive giveaways on social networks. Tempting as they seem, don’t click on these “come on” links. If you do, you may have your credit card details stolen or dangerous malware installed on your computer.
And last, a word about fake shopping apps. Mobile device use has increased tremendously in the past few years. These devices, just like other computers, are vulnerable to viruses and malware, making them another target for scammers. To protect yourself, download only apps that have received lots of good reviews. Also, smartphone antivirus apps are available.
Hopefully you won’t have a problem with viruses and malware during the holiday season, but if you suspect that you have picked up a virus, call us immediately so that we can help you minimize the damage. We can be reached by phone (800/425-672-4806) or email.
Happy Holidays! .