Holiday messages come fast—and so do the fakes

As November begins, packages, sale announcements, charitable appeals and family travel plans can fill our phones and inboxes. Scammers exploit that extra activity. A message that appears to come from a shipping company, a retailer or even a familiar charity may be designed to steal payment information or persuade someone to send money. The safest habit is simple: pause, verify and contact the organization through a channel you already trust.

The fake delivery notice

A text may claim that a package cannot be delivered until you confirm an address or pay a small redelivery fee. The link may lead to a convincing imitation of a carrier's site. Don't use links in unexpected delivery texts. Instead, open the store or carrier's official website or app yourself and check the tracking number there. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and other consumer agencies specifically warn about this tactic.

The bargain that disappears

Fraudulent storefronts and social-media advertisements can offer popular gifts at prices far below normal. A polished page and photographs do not guarantee a real seller. Research unfamiliar merchants, look for independent reviews, and be wary if the only accepted payment is a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift card or payment app sent to an individual. Consider using a credit card for purchases because it generally provides more avenues to dispute unauthorized charges than many other payment methods.

Gift cards are for gifts—not urgent payments

No legitimate government agency, utility or reputable business should demand that you settle a supposed debt or fine by buying gift cards and reading the numbers over the phone. If someone says a loved one is in trouble and insists on gift cards immediately, stop and contact that person or another trusted relative directly using a number you already know.

Check the charity before you give

The holidays bring genuine opportunities to help, but impostors can copy familiar names and emotional appeals. Don't rely on caller ID or a link in an unsolicited message. Look up the organization's official website yourself, verify how donations will be used, and keep a receipt. The Federal Trade Commission warns that a caller claiming you already pledged may be trying to rush you into paying without checking.

If the caller claims to be your bank

Hang up and call the telephone number on the back of your bank card or your statement. Never share a one-time security code with a person who calls unexpectedly, even if they say they are trying to stop fraud. If you clicked a suspicious link but did not enter information, close the page; if you entered a password, change it through the authentic website and enable multifactor authentication.

Where Arkansas residents can report trouble

The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division accepts complaints online at arkansasag.gov and by telephone at 800-482-8982. Its Current Scams page also describes common schemes. If you transferred money or revealed banking information, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and ask about blocking further transactions or recovering funds. You can also report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Share this rule with someone you care about

An unexpected message that creates fear or urgency is a reason to slow down, not speed up. Remind family members and friends that it is always acceptable to end a call, ignore a link and verify independently. A two-minute check may protect savings that took years to build.