Avoiding Holiday Fraud: Protect Yourself This Season

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and giving—but unfortunately, it's also a prime time for fraud. Criminals know that many of us are busy, distracted, and often more generous than usual. That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant and protect your personal and financial information during this time of year. Here are some key tips to help you avoid fraud and keep your holiday season merry and bright. Here's a message from our CEO about common fraud tactics followed by some tips to avoid these scams.

1. Don’t Click December

As the calendar flips to December, cybercriminals ramp up their efforts to take advantage of the holiday rush. Many of us are shopping online, checking our emails more often, or clicking on enticing links. Unfortunately, scammers use this increased activity to their advantage by sending fake emails or texts that seem to come from legitimate retailers, delivery services, or even your own financial institution.

These emails often contain malicious links that, when clicked, can infect your device with malware, steal your personal information, or lead you to a fraudulent website. In fact, this is so common that government agencies have kicked off a “Don’t Click December” campaign to help consumers fight fraud. You can read more about this here or you can Google the campaign if you're weary of clicking that link! 

What can you do?

• Check the sender’s email address carefully. Fraudulent emails often come from addresses that look similar to real ones but with small, subtle changes.
• Don’t click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the company’s website by typing the URL into your browser.
• Look for red flags. Misspelled words, strange language, and generic greetings like “Dear Customer” are often signs that the email is a scam.

2. Watch Out for Spoofed Calls

During the holidays, we’re all more likely to receive phone calls—from retailers, delivery services, or even people you know. But not all calls are legitimate. Spoofing, where fraudsters disguise their phone numbers to make them appear as though they are from a trusted source, is a common tactic used by scammers.

These fraudulent calls often come from numbers that look like they could be from your credit union or bank, a government agency, or a well-known retailer. The goal is to trick you into giving out personal information, such as your account details, Social Security number, or credit/debit card information.

How to protect yourself:

• Don’t share personal information over the phone unless you are absolutely certain of the caller’s identity. If you have any doubts, hang up and call the number on the company’s official website to verify. We like to say, HANG UP. LOOK UP. CALL BACK. At Topside, our employees want you to be vigilant and do not mind being hung up on! 
• Don’t feel pressured. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to get you to act quickly, such as threatening to suspend your account or offering a “limited-time deal.”
• Use call-blocking apps. Many smartphones offer features to block suspected spam or robocalls, or you can download third-party apps designed to detect and block fraudulent calls.

3. Monitor Your Accounts Regularly

During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in shopping, travel plans, and gift-giving, but it’s essential to keep an eye on your finances. Fraudsters may target your accounts, credit cards, or even your credit report to make unauthorized transactions or open new accounts in your name.

How to stay on top of your finances:

• Set up alerts for your accounts. Our My Cards feature in Online Banking allows you to set up push notifications for every card transaction, set spending and transaction limits, turn your card off and on, and more. This makes it easy to quickly spot and limit unusual activity. We also offer account alerts in Online Banking to keep you up to date on your account statuses. 
• Check your account and statements regularly. Review transactions for any unauthorized activity, and report any suspicious charges immediately.
• Consider freezing your credit. If you’re worried about identity theft, freezing your credit with the major credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) makes it harder for fraudsters to open accounts in your name.

4. Shop Safely Online

The surge in online shopping during the holidays can create opportunities for scammers to set up fake websites or fraudulent deals that seem too good to be true. Fake e-commerce sites may look similar to well-known brands, but they may disappear after they collect your payment information.

How to shop smart:

• Stick to trusted websites. When shopping online, make sure the website is reputable and the URL begins with “https” (the “s” stands for secure).
• Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Credit cards don’t link directly to your bank account like debit cards do and can provide a bit of a cushion while a charge is being disputed.
• Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true deals. Scammers often lure in shoppers with unrealistically low prices or limited-time offers. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

5. Trust Your Instincts

Finally, the best way to avoid fraud is to trust your instincts. If something feels off or makes you uncomfortable—whether it's a phone call, an email, or an online deal—don’t ignore your gut feeling. It’s always better to take a moment to investigate than to fall victim to a scam.

The holiday season should be a time for joy, not worry. By staying vigilant and following these simple tips, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud and enjoy a safe, secure holiday season with your friends and family.

If you have any concerns about potential fraud or need assistance with monitoring your accounts, Topside is here to help. We want to ensure you have peace of mind while you celebrate the season! Stay safe, stay smart, and have a wonderful holiday season.