Tip #1- Research charities before you donate.

If you get a phone call from a “charitable organization,” don’t immediately pay them, even though the holiday spirit is for giving. To ensure your donation goes where you want it to, and not into the hands of a scammer, do your research about the “charitable organization.”

Tip #2- Don’t give away your personal information.

If you’re shopping online, use secure websites with an “https” address. Avoid holiday “offers” that ask you to give financial information because they might be trying to steal your identity. And, if someone calls asking for money or personal information, hang up. If you think the caller might be telling the truth, call back to a number you know is genuine.

Tip #3- Consider how you pay.

Credit cards have significant fraud protection built-in, but some payment methods don’t. Wiring money through services like Western Union or MoneyGram is risky because it’s nearly impossible to get your money back. That’s also true for reloadable cards and gift cards.

Tip #4- Hang up on robocalls.

If you answer the phone and hear a recording, hang up! These calls are illegal, and often the products are bogus. Don’t press “1” to speak to a person or to be taken off the list. That could lead to more calls.

Tip #5- Be skeptical about free trial offers.

Some companies will give you a “free trial” to sign you up for products and then automatically bill you every month until you cancel. Before you agree to a free trial, research the company and read the cancellation policy.

Author: Cecille Doan,
Staff Attorney for the Center for Arkansas Legal Services