Holiday Scams are Alive and Well

It’s the most wonderful time of year again. Kids are writing lists, parents are hunting for deals, and scammers are out taking names and wallets. Just as the winter months of the end of the year are the most exciting for Families getting gifts and making people happy. It is also preyed heavily on by the scammers and Crooks of the world. People like you want to buy presents too; however, they don’t like spending their own money – instead, they use yours.

Be aware and be on the lookout for scams. They can come from anywhere: emails, text messages, and all the social platforms you use daily. Anything from a wrong number message to promotional discounts on that one item your child has been looking at should be looked at with a wary eye. When it comes to emails, first always ensure you recognize the sender and secondly, if it’s a company, ensure that everything behind the @ symbol is correct and not @micosoft or @simsclub, something that glancing over, you will miss. (If you didn’t notice the misspellings of these popular business corporations, re-read that last sentence again to catch the mistakes.) If you don’t recognize the number or contact, it’s often best to ignore it, even times delete it.

In the last two months alone, we have seen an increase of scam calls vs. client calls by 200% to 250%, and in our ever-vigilance to ensure you all are protected. We have seen ransomware attacks on other companies increase by over 400% as everyone becomes lax because of the holidays and takes Cyber security less seriously. Unlike us, who keep you protected. However, this is a two-way street. We can only do so much. You all have a part to play as well. When in doubt, throw it out and notify us. If it looks legit and you have the contact information for the person in question or the company, call them directly. Don’t call the number the questionable message gives you. This is necessary when a coworker or a loved one may be compromised. It is as simple as picking up the phone.

If you ever have any doubts or questions, feel free to give us a call at (915) 587-7902. We are happy to help.