(Bradford County, PA) – State Rep. Tina Picket reminds costitutents that the PA Office of Attorney General is once again warning about common scams that typically ramp up during the holiday season.
These include email and text phishing, in which you receive an email or text message directing you to enter personal information on a fraudulent website; home delivery stealing; credit card skimming; romance scams; online pet scams; online pop-up advertisements; and online marketplace deals.
Read more about each of these scams here.
To further protect yourselves, you are encouraged to:
• | Set up email or text alerts with your credit card company or bank, so you will be alerted quickly to all purchases, including fraudulent purchases. | |
• | Install the latest security updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer or mobile device. | |
• | Never use your home’s smart device to find a customer support number for any company and have the system dial it for you. Go directly to the company’s website, call the number on the back of your credit or debit card, or use the number on your billing statement. | |
• | Never pay with a prepaid gift card, CashApp, or Venmo or wire someone money when you’re trying to buy a gift online. Use your credit card, not a debit card, for better protection. | |
• | Never click on a hyperlink in an email, social media ad or text message to make a purchase. Go directly to the website of the store you wish to purchase from to ensure you are shopping at the right place. | |
• | Gift cards are for gifts; you cannot pay a bill or debt owed to the government through a gift card. |
Anyone who believes they may have been scammed should file a police report, and file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General online here, or by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-800-441-2555.