ORLANDO, Fla. — It’s the holiday season and scammers are looking to take advantage of last-minute gift buying.
Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning Floridians to be on the lookout for scams.
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“The last-minute buying frenzy before Christmas can create opportunities for scammers trying to steal your holiday cheer,” Moody said. “Be extra cautious while you shop and follow a few smart-shopping tips I am releasing for Floridians looking to finish their shopping list before Santa makes his rounds.”
Read: Beware of These Gift Card Scams for the Holidays
Moody recently released the 2021 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide, which contains information about safe online shopping, how to avoid charity-related scams and a list of recalled items.
Read: BBB warns about holiday scams
Here are a few safety tips to stay safe this holiday season:
· Use a credit card, instead of a debit card, when shopping online. Credit cards allow consumers to dispute a charge more easily.
· Know that credible businesses will not demand payment via gift card - this is always a scam.
· Be careful using cryptocurrency, as the volatile market attracts opportunistic scammers.
· Check bank and credit card statements regularly to ensure there are no fraudulent charges or withdrawals.
· Never provide personal or financial information to anyone whom you do not know.
· Create strong passwords to protect against identity theft, hackers and online fraud.
Read: Florida attorney general releases 2021 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide
Another safe-shopping resource to use is Scams at a Glance: ‘Tis the Season.
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