Spooky Scams to Watch Out for This Halloween
Halloween is full of tricks and treats. But some of the scariest tricks don’t involve ghosts or haunted houses. Financial scams can happen at any time of year, and scammers often use clever tactics to catch people off guard. Here are some common scams to watch out for this Halloween and a few ways to protect yourself.
Beware of Frighteningly Good Deals
Halloween costumes, decorations, and candy can add up quickly, making online deals especially tempting. Scammers know shoppers are looking for a bargain, and they may create fake websites or social media ads offering popular products at unbelievably low prices.
You might place an order, only to discover the products never arrive. In other cases, the website may collect your payment information or personal details.
How to stay safe: Shop with retailers you know and trust. Before making a purchase from an unfamiliar website, look for customer reviews, verify the website address, and check the return policy. Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true. When in doubt, skip the deal.
Don’t Fall for Fake Delivery Alerts
Between Halloween costumes, decorations, and last minute party supplies, you may be expecting a package or two. Scammers can take advantage of that by sending fake text messages or emails claiming there’s a problem with your delivery. These messages may say your package is delayed, your address is incorrect, or you need to pay a small fee to receive your order. A link may take you to a fraudulent website designed to steal your personal or financial information.
How to stay safe: Avoid clicking links in unexpected delivery messages. Instead, visit the shipping company’s official website or app and enter your tracking number directly.
Watch Out for Phishing Tricks
Not every scam looks suspicious at first glance. Phishing scams often arrive through emails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to come from a trusted company, financial institution, or government agency.
A message might claim there’s unusual activity on your account or that you need to verify your information immediately. Scammers often create a sense of urgency, hoping you’ll act before stopping to think. Some may even use spoofed phone numbers to make a call appear to come from a legitimate organization.
How to stay safe: Don’t click unexpected links or share sensitive information in response to an unsolicited message. If you’re concerned about your account, contact the organization using a verified phone number or website. Remember, never share your PIN, password, or full debit card information with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Don’t Get Tricked by Payment Scams
Scammers may ask you to pay in ways that are difficult to reverse, such as gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or certain payment apps. They might pose as a business, claim you owe money, or invent an emergency that requires immediate payment.
How to stay safe: Be cautious of anyone demanding unusual payment methods or pressuring you to pay immediately. If someone insists that only a specific payment method will work, take a step back before sending money.
Protect Your Information from Identity Theft
Sometimes, the goal of a scam isn’t to take your money right away. It’s to collect enough personal information to steal your identity or access your accounts later. Scammers my try to obtain your Social Security number, account details, passwords, or other sensitive information through fake forms, suspicious websites, or impersonation scams. Once they have that information, they may attempt to open accounts, make unauthorized purchases, or commit other forms of fraud.
How to stay safe: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multifactor authentication when available. Avoid sharing personal information unless you know who you’re dealing with and why the information is needed. Regularly review your financial accounts for unfamiliar transactions, and report suspicious activity as soon as possible.