New Year’s Eve is a time to celebrate with friends and family, reflect on the past year and look forward to what’s ahead. But while we’re all in the spirit of celebration, it’s also a time when scammers try to take advantage of people’s excitement.
Here are some common scams to watch out for in the coming year, along with tips to keep you protected:
1. Fake Party Invitations
- What it is: Scammers send fake invitations (via email, text, or social media) claiming to offer exclusive tickets to glamorous New Year's Eve parties.
- How it works: They'll ask for payment to "reserve" tickets or steal your personal info when you RSVP.
- Red flags: Unrealistic offers, urgent payment requests or payment through gift cards or wire transfers.
How to Avoid It:
Always verify event details directly with the organizer before making any payments or sharing your personal information. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, it probably is.
2. Travel Scams
- What it is: Scammers promote fake vacation packages or travel deals for New Year’s Eve destinations.
- How it works: They'll advertise "exclusive" deals on flights, hotels, or cruises, but once you pay, the booking doesn't exist or your money is gone.
- Red flags: Unbelievably low prices, lack of a legitimate website, or requests for non-secure payment methods.
How to Avoid It:
Stick to reputable travel sites and always double-check deals before booking. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
3. Gift Card Scams
- What it is: Scammers impersonate a loved one or company, claiming they need urgent help and asking you to buy gift cards.
- How it works: They pressure you into purchasing gift cards and immediately sending them the codes.
- Red flags: Requests for gift cards, high-pressure urgency, or unusual behavior from someone you know.
How to Avoid It:
Be suspicious of anyone asking for gift cards. If you receive an unexpected request, call or message the person directly through a verified channel to confirm it’s really them.
4. “Free” Holiday Giveaways
- What it is: Scammers create fake giveaways or contests promising expensive prizes in exchange for a small fee, survey participation, or personal details.
- How it works: They’ll ask you to pay a fee or share personal information to claim a prize that doesn’t exist.
- Red flags: Unrealistic prizes, requests for upfront payment or personal details, or no clear way to claim the prize.
How to Avoid It:
Only enter contests from trusted sources and be sure to verify giveaways by looking for official rules and reputable sponsors.
5. Online Shopping Scams
- What it is: Fake online stores selling New Year’s Eve-related items at steep discounts.
- How it works: After purchasing, your items either don’t arrive, or you receive counterfeit or poor-quality products.
- Red flags: Deals that seem too good to be true, poorly designed websites, or unfamiliar stores with little contact info.
How to Avoid It:
Shop with well-known retailers and always check reviews. Be sure the site has secure payment options and clear return policies before making a purchase.
6. Hotel or Resort Booking Scams
- What it is: Fake hotel bookings or "too-good-to-be-true" offers for New Year's Eve accommodations.
- How it works: Scammers either steal your payment without confirming your booking or use your payment details for fraudulent charges.
- Red flags: Unrealistic prices, no refund policy, or unverified reviews.
How to Avoid It:
Book accommodations through trusted, reputable sites. Always double-check the hotel’s official website.
7. Phishing Emails
- What it is: Emails disguised as holiday promotions, shipping updates, or gift confirmations from well-known companies.
- How it works: Scammers send fake links that lead to phishing sites designed to steal your personal information or install malware.
- Red flags: Suspicious sender addresses, poor grammar, or unexpected attachments/links.
How to Avoid It:
Never click on links or open attachments from unfamiliar senders. Always verify emails by checking the sender’s address and contacting the company directly.
8. Charity Scams
- What it is: Scammers pose as charities asking for donations during the holiday season.
- How it works: They make emotional appeals for donations, claiming they’re helping those in need during the holidays.
- Red flags: High-pressure donation requests, unfamiliar charity names, or unusual donation methods like gift cards.
How to Avoid It:
Before donating, contact the charity directly through their official website or phone number to verify their legitimacy. Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails or messages, and always ensure that donations are made through secure, official channels.
9. Fraudulent Ticket Sales for Events
- What it is: Fake or non-existent tickets to popular New Year’s Eve concerts or events.
- How it works: Scammers sell counterfeit tickets, leaving you with nothing when you try to use them.
- Red flags: Prices much lower than official sources, unclear delivery methods, or unverified third-party sellers.
How to Avoid It:
Only buy tickets from trusted, official sellers like Ticketmaster or Eventbrite. Be cautious of third-party sellers with little to no reputation.
10. Fake Delivery Notifications
- What it is: Fake delivery messages from services like FedEx or UPS, claiming your New Year’s Eve package has an issue.
- How it works: Scammers send emails or texts with links to fake tracking websites or malware downloads.
- Red flags: Unexpected delivery delays, unsolicited messages, or suspicious links.
How to Avoid It:
Check your tracking directly on the delivery company’s official website or app. Avoid clicking on any unfamiliar links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
Ways to Protect Yourself:
- Verify offers: Always double-check invitations, offers, and purchases by contacting the source directly.
- Be cautious with links: Don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or texts.
- Do your research: Look up reviews and ensure websites are legitimate before buying or booking.
- Avoid rush tactics: Scammers often create urgency to pressure you. If something feels rushed or too good to be true, proceed with caution.
- Use secure payment methods: Choose payment options that offer buyer protection and ensure your transactions are secure. Avoid methods that are difficult to trace or recover once completed.
If You Fall Victim to a Scam:
- Contact your bank: Report fraudulent transactions and block any unauthorized payments immediately. If you’re a customer of SBSI, you may contact our Customer Care Department at (207) 284-4591 during normal operating hours. After hours, you can reach us at (800) 754-4128.
- Report the scam: Scams can be reported to the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Change your passwords: If your personal data was compromised, change your passwords for affected accounts.
- Alert the platform: If the scam took place on a website or social media, report the account to the platform.
By staying vigilant and acting quickly if you fall victim to a scam, you can minimize the impact of scams and enjoy a safe and happy New Year.
From all of us at SBSI, we wish you a safe and happy New Year!
