FBI warns of holiday scammers

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The FBI in Springfield is offering tips to avoid being scammed during the holiday season.

The FBI warns that scammer techniques have stayed the same. Most scammers target consumers while they are busy with a spoofed email, phone call, or text from someone in authority. Often, these messages ask the victim to purchase multiple gift cards for personal or business reasons.

According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), victims reported losses of more than $288.6 million spent on gift or prepaid cards in the past year. These scams can be romance, government impersonations, and sometimes even lottery, sweepstakes, inheritance scams.

Many of these scams are found in links to quizzes or false advertisements for free items, often found on social media advertisements: the ads usually say the products are highly discounted or there are flash sales or giveaways. While some are legitimate, the department tells consumers to verify the product is for free by going to the company's website.

The FBI added they are increasingly seeing what they call "puppy purchase scams." With these scams, the FBI said the fraudsters would use social media or other websites to sell puppies, take money from the victim, and never deliver the pet. They also may ask for more money for veterinarian bills that don't exist. The IC3 said they have received around 2,600 complaints related to puppy scams in the past year. Losses have been estimated at $5.6 million.

The department said the best way to stay safe is to be wary of deals too good to be true. Any requests to take quick action, and require payment through gift cards or payment transfers through apps. The FBI said to do the following to lower the chances of being victimized:

Check your credit card statement routinely
If buying something online, make sure it is from a reputable source
Don't trust your site with your credit card information just because it claims to be safe
Be aware of web page addresses that look like familiar sites, but are slightly different
Stay away of untrustworthy sites or ads offering items at unrealistic discounts or with special coupons
Be aware of getting items from online auctions and third-party marketplaces
Don't respond to unsolicited emails or click links in emails
Don't fill out forms in email messages for personal information
Only open email attachments from known senders
Only donate to trusted charities
Secure your bank accounts with strong passwords or passphrases
Be aware of exaggerated claims of possible earnings or profits
If money is required up front for instructions or products for employment, be wary
They warn to be cautious of dealing with people outside of the country

The FBI said if you are a scam victim, contact your bank immediately. Then, contact law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center by clicking here.

You can also call the FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675.