*First National Community Bank’s blog does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment or other professional advice. Recipients should consult their professional advisors for advice.
As the 2025 holiday shopping season approaches, excitement for online deals, gift-giving, and travel plans is at an all-time high. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the busiest times of year for scammers. With fraud incidents on the rise, it’s important to stay alert to scams and practice safe habits when shopping, banking, and sharing personal information – especially during the holiday season!
Below are some of the most common types of scams this season and important tips on how you can protect yourself:
1. Watch Out for Vishing and Smishing: “Vishing” (voice phishing) and “smishing” (SMS phishing) are scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses or banks through phone calls or text messages. Their goal is to trick you into sharing sensitive information, such as passwords or account details.
Protect yourself by:
Being cautious of unsolicited calls or texts from unfamiliar numbers.
Verifying suspicious contacts by HANGING UP and calling your local branch at the official number listed on a company’s website or the number on the back of your card.
Never sharing one-time passcodes unless you personally initiated the transaction.
Avoiding clicking on links in unexpected texts or emails. Type the web address directly instead.
Staying calm when a message feels urgent or emotional; scammers often use fear to pressure quick action.
2. Shop Securely Online: Stick to well-known, reputable retailers and look for “https” in the website address before entering payment details. Avoid clicking on social media ads or unfamiliar links that promise “too good to be true” deals.
3. Protect Your Network and Devices: Only shop on secure Wi-Fi connections or use a VPN when possible. Keep your devices, browsers, and apps updated with the latest security patches.
4. Monitor Your Accounts Regularly: Review your bank and credit card statements often for unfamiliar transactions. You can also request a free credit report or freeze your credit at www.equifax.com, www.experian.com, or www.transunion.com.
5. Keep Personal and Financial Data Private: Avoid sharing too much personal information on social media. Even simple details can help fraudsters guess passwords or security questions. Always use strong, unique passwords for each account.
6. Stay Alert with Current Contact Info: Make sure your financial institution has your updated contact information so you can be reached quickly if suspicious activity is detected.
7. Avoid Skimming Devices: Prioritize chip or contactless payments. If a terminal forces a swipe, it may be compromised.
8. Protect Physical Mail: Monitor your mailbox and shred sensitive documents, including pre-approved credit offers.
Staying informed and cautious this holiday season can go a long way in protecting your finances and your peace of mind.
As your locally owned community bank of choice, the success of your financial future is top of mind. We offer Personal Checking Accounts, Money Market Accounts, Personal Savings Accounts, CDs, IRAs, Mortgages, Personal Loans, Personal Credit Cards, Business Credit Cards and Business Loans of all shapes and sizes.
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