Skimmers, scammers, phishers & package thieves want to Grinch your holidays, Pa. AG warns

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is warning state residents about “common scams” that increase around the holidays.

“Because of the pandemic, this holiday season looks and feels different than those in the past,” Shapiro said in a statement on Tuesday. “These scams are present all year long and it is important that Pennsylvanians remain on guard. Make sure you know what these scams look like in order to protect your money, your identity and your personal information.”

More:Phishing for information: State warns residents of scams targeting unemployment benefits

More:PA Lottery warns of foreign scam

Scams that Pennsylvanians should be aware of include:

• Email and text phishing directing you to a fake website, typically a retailer or delivery company, and referring to an order you did not make.
• Package thefts from homes after deliveries are made. The attorney general’s office recommends having packages delivered to a neighbor or, if possible, to your job site.
• Credit card skimming, which can occur at ATMs, gas pumps or kiosks. Instead of using a payment machine, Shapiro’s office suggests using a payment app on your smartphone, and tracking your bank statements and transactions.
• Romance scams in which victims are targeted to buy plane tickets, and pay for customs fees or visas.
• Online pet scams where scammers pose as pet sellers charging thousands of dollars for a puppy or kitten.
• Online pop-up ads that claim you have won a prize or gift card and ask you to click on a link. Shapiro’s office said never to click these links because they can lead to a virus on your device or make it susceptible to hacking.
• Online marketplace deals in which sellers offer deals on hard-to-find toys and games.

Pennsylvanians can protect themselves, Shapiro said, by signing up for alerts for credit card companies and banks; installing security updates on electronic devices; calling a customer support number directly and avoid using a smart home device, such as Alexa, Siri or Google Home; and paying online using a credit card rather than a prepaid gift card, Cash App, Venmo or debit card.

Complaints about possible scams should be directed to local police and to the attorney general’s office at attorneygeneral.gov.