SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The season of giving is in full swing, and many community members are already starting to get a jump start on their holiday shopping. But law enforcement officials say there's plenty of scammers looking to take your stocking stuffers.
According to the 2022 Internet Crime Report, a total of 14,876 Illinois residents fell victim to a scam last year, losing nearly $267 million in total. FBI officials in Springfield are warning people to be on the lookout this holiday season to prevent adding to that figure.
“As scammers continue to perfect their skills, take time to conduct due diligence to thwart their efforts,” FBI Special Agent David Nanz said. “Slow down, look for red flags, and always protect your personal information. Going directly to a reputable source is the safest way to verify the legitimacy of a transaction.”
If you believe you've fallen victim to a scam, the FBI says you should contact your bank immediately, then contact law enforcement and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Here are some other tips from the experts that'll hopefully prevent any scammers from getting that far:
- Check your credit card statement routinely.
- If purchasing merchandise online, ensure it is from a reputable source.
- Do not trust a site with your credit card information just because it claims to be secure.
- Be cognizant of web page addresses that look like familiar sites but are slightly different.
- Do not respond to unsolicited emails or click on links within the email.
- Avoid filling out forms contained in email messages that ask for personal information.
- Only open attachments from known senders.
- Only donate to known and trusted charities.
- Secure credit card accounts with strong passwords or passphrases.
- Be cautious of exaggerated claims of possible earnings or profits.
- Beware when money is required up front for instructions or products for employment.
- Be cautious when dealing with individuals outside of the country.
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