The holidays are usually a busy time of year with lots of shopping and gift buying. It’s also a busy time for scammers. Here are some current holiday scams to watch out for so you and your loved ones don’t get duped.
First things first
While we do licence certain sectors and enforce certain consumer protection laws in BC, we do not have any authority when it comes to fraud or online scams. We’re sharing the tips below to be helpful and provide general consumer info. Explore our website for more info on which topics we can help you with directly.
5 active scams to keep on your radar this time of year
With information from the Better Business Bureau, here are some holiday scams to watch out for:
1. Social media gift exchanges. See something on social media saying you will receive 36 gifts in exchange for sending one gift valued at $10? You may be asked invite others to participate in the exchange, where they will receive information on where to mail gifts. Be careful – if you are promised something that is worth more than what you’re expected to pay, it may be a pyramid scheme (they are illegal in Canada). You also may be asked to provide personal information, such as your home address. It is important you only share this information with people you trust. Learn more about the risks of the “Secret Sister” gift exchange.
2. Free gift cards. Get an email asking you share personal information to receive a free gift card? It could be a scammer impersonating a legitimate business. Remember not to share personal information to receive a gift card. If you think there’s a chance it’s a legitimate offer, contact the business by visiting their website directly (not through the email). Learn what the rules are when it comes to legitimate gift card expiry dates in BC.
- Tip: If a legitimate gift card is issued as a promotion (buy a $100 gift card and get a $25 gift card for free), the promotional or free gift card is allowed to expire, so remember to check the expiry date!
3. Charity scams. The holiday season is usually an important and busy time for legitimate organizations who are looking to raise money for those in need. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in donation requests from scammers. Learn the top 10 red flags to look for when you are considering donating to a charity this year.
- Tip: a major red flag is if the charity is unregistered. Do a basic search through Revenue Canada to verify the status of the charity.
4. Fake shipping notifications. If you get a shipping notification that doesn’t seem to have any identifying information on it and it’s asking for additional personal information, it could be a scam. Make sure you remember what you have ordered and use the tracking information you were provided when it was purchased. Don’t click links from emails you’re not sure about. You shouldn’t be asked to provide new information later on or pay any additional charges.
5. Puppy scams. Scammers are known to pose as breeders online and may ask you to wire money for a puppy that doesn’t exist. Do your research and talk to friends and family for recommendations if you are looking to adopt a dog. Make sure you get your dogs from legitimate shelters or breeders and never wire money for a dog that you haven’t met yet.
Did we miss anything? What are some holiday scams you want others to know about?
Where to go for help
If you are a victim of a scam, contact your local police department and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
We have no authority when it comes to scams and fraud. To learn which topics we can help you with, explore our Consumer Help page on our website.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
How to avoid “porch pirate” theft
5 tips for safe online shopping this holiday season
The 10 red flags of charity scams
Be careful with the “Secret Sister” gift exchange
5 things to be mindful of this holiday season
About Consumer Protection BC
We are responsible for regulating specific industries and certain consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will be happy to provide you with as much information as possible. Depending on your concern, another organization may be the ones to speak to; other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.
Hello. How do I check to see if an email is legitimate? The same goes for the recommended site in the email? Thank you.
Hi Fran, this is a really good question but also difficult to answer as scammers are getting better at what they do. Generally speaking, pay attention to the sender’s address and if you see a long string of numbers in front of the @ sign or modified company name such as reservations@abcairline.company.ca, you may need to question the authenticity of the email address. Also, have you actually dealt with the company before? If so and the email looks suspicious, you can contact the company directly to verify rather than replying to the email you received. The other thing is to read the email carefully – if it asks you to “take an immediate action” or “click on the link” then be cautious. The government of Canada website has some known spam emails so feel free to take a look at these examples and familiarize yourself with what they might look like. The link to the page is here. I hope this helps!
I’ve had 3 emails from Apple saying my credit card information was wrong when I ordered Avast on their site. They wanted my card information. Phoned Apple because I suspected a scam. Apple hadn’t sent them but the logos were correct.
Hi Betty-Lou, I am glad that you phoned Apple directly. If you suspect an email to be spam, it’s always a good idea to call the company directly rather than replying to the email. Thank you for sharing your experience here!