7 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Scams This Black Friday 

There are several scams that come out of the woodwork when the holiday season rolls around. Yes, you should be careful at all times, but you should be especially vigilant when the holiday season bombards you with ads and deals that you almost cannot pass up.  

Who doesn’t love a good deal? 

Use these seven tips to avoid scams this holiday season, and remember to alert your friends, family, and especially elderly loved ones who might get more easily caught up in something that’s too good to be true and wrapped around layers of technology that can make it even more confusing. 

Avoid Phishing Emails 

Never click on anything in any email that’s from someone you don’t know. Don’t open attachments. Most times, you should flag those emails as spam instead of even opening them.  

If the email claims to be from a company that you do business with, you should reach out to that company for clarification. You can also check the email address just to see who sent it—which is especially helpful when you contact the company in question. 

Never Download Random Attachments 

Never click on attachments you see anywhere. You don’t want to download things you don’t understand or know. Plus, you don’t need these attachments, especially if they are coming from people you don’t know. 

Remember, you should always verify with a company you do business with if they have sent you something. You might even ask the company to send you the attachment again so you know it’s from the right source. It’s ok to be skeptical. Even perfectly legitimate emails can sometimes come across a little…shady. 

Skip Pop-Ups and Ads 

Skip pop-up ads whenever you can. (Remember, the man who invented pop-up ads regretted it.) You never know where these ads are coming from. Plus, you may not know what these ads are going to do when you click on them. If you are truly interested in what is in the ad, you can go to that company’s website yourself. 

Steer Clear of eSkimming 

You can avoid eSkimming by only making purchases on secured websites. How do you know that a website is secure? You can see the https:// prefix on the address bar, and you can also see the lock in that area. 

If you don’t see these symbols of security, you should look elsewhere. 

Never Recycle Passwords 

Do your best not to recycle passwords. The best thing you can do is use a password wallet that will protect your data and help you change passwords as much as necessary. For the most part, this can be an easy thing to do, but there are a lot of people who get nervous about this because they’re afraid of losing their password.  

In these instances, you can easily use security procedures to get back into the account. This is much safer than recycling passwords that can easily be stolen. 

Don’t Jump on Every Freebie 

There are a lot of freebies out there that are too good to be true. As a result, you should avoid these offers. Most people have no Idea what they’re clicking on, but they give it a shot thinking “what’s the worst that could happen.” 

The worst thing that can happen is that malware, a virus, or something else makes its way onto your device, making it easy for a hacker to steal your identity and personal information.  

Monitor Your Accounts Closely 

Make certain that you monitor your accounts closely and never let anything slide. If you notice any irregularities in your bank or credit accounts, report them immediately. If you’re a caregiver, check the accounts of those you support so that they are not robbed blind. 

For more information on protecting yourself and avoiding holiday scams, reach out to our team at Roger Smith Insurance for help. We can also help you choose the most appropriate insurance for your family so you’re protected if anything ever happens during the holiday rush.