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December 13th, 2016:
During this week's show we didn't have time to cover all of our holiday tips, so we're publishing our show notes here for you. Hopefully you will find these useful and they can help you have a safe and happy holiday season!
During this week's show we didn't have time to cover all of our holiday tips, so we're publishing our show notes here for you. Hopefully you will find these useful and they can help you have a safe and happy holiday season!
During the course of tonight's show we also started a vote in the chat for listeners to pick their favorite photo to be used for the Paranormalities & Ponderings Radio Show's Christmas card this year. You can participate by going voting below! Don't forget to Like the show's Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/paranormalities to stay up to date on upcoming episodes and events!
Which photo will you choose? Cast your vote below!
Photo A
Cousin Frank |
Photo B
Donald the Pink Nightmare |
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Holiday Scams, Shams and Safety & Travel Tips
Phone App Scams:
The Better Business Bureau has issued a new warning just in time for holiday shopping.
Officials say that some retail apps that look real and use real store names could be fake. The goal of the scammers, they say, is to take advantage of the holiday shopping season and steal personal information. The BBB says the scam has impersonated Apple store apps for well-known retailers, like Dollar Tree, Nordstrom and Zappos. Some of the apps steal banking and credit card information; others lock the phone and demand ransom to unlock it. Another concern is that some apps require users to log in through social media, exposing personal information there.
The BBB reports that Apple is actively removing these apps, but developers simply build new ones.
“Look at certain things on the app, things like misspelled words or how neat does it look,” said Tim Maniscalo with the Better Business Bureau. “Good companies will have a very professional looking app, and the other ones may not necessarily be all that professional looking.”
The BBB offers some tips to protect personal information:
Online & Social Media Scams:
Since more and more shoppers are choosing to buy gifts online, the Better Business Bureau recommends using caution when shopping. The Better Business Bureau says because many retailers now have chip card readers, fraud at bricks-and-mortar stores is down, so scammers have shifted their efforts online.
In order to avoid getting scammed, they recommend using a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online. Also, shop on secure websites. Look for “https” in the address (The extra “s” is for “secure”) and for a lock symbol. Look-alike websites: When shopping online, make sure to use only legitimate websites. Watch out for URLs that use the names of well-known brands along with extra words.
Fake shipping notifications: These can have attachments or links to sites that will download malware on your computer to steal your identity and your passwords. Don’t be fooled by a holiday phishing scam.
E-cards: Electronic cards can be great fun, but be careful. Two red flags to watch out for are: the sender’s name is not apparent; you are required to share additional information to get the card.
Letters from Santa: Several trusted companies offer charming and personalized letters from Santa, but scammers mimic them to get personal information from unsuspecting parents. Check with bbb.org to find out which ones are legitimate.
Emergency scam: Be cautious if you get a call from a family member or friend claiming to be in an accident, arrested, or hospitalized while traveling in another country. Never send money unless you confirm with another family member that it’s true.
Phony charities: Everyone is in a generous mood at the holidays, so scammers take advantage of that with fake charity solicitations in email, on social media sites, and even by text. Check out charities at give.org before donating.
Temporary holiday jobs: Retailers and delivery services need extra help at the holidays, but beware of solicitations that require you to share personal information online or pay for a job lead. Apply in person or go to retailers’ main websites to find out who is hiring.
Unusual forms of payment: Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for holiday purchases using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, third parties, etc. These payments cannot be traced and cannot be undone.
Free gift cards: Pop-up ads or email offering free gift cards are often just a ploy to get your personal information that can later be used for identity theft.
Social media gift exchange: It sounds like a great deal; buy one gift and get 36 in return. But it’s just a variation on a pyramid scheme and it’s illegal.
Once again:
If you are aware of an impostor app, report it to the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker.
If you are a victim, the BBB says to say call your financial institutions immediately.
Package Delivery Malware Emails:
Criminals regularly send out bogus “failed package delivery” notifications as a means of distributing malware. The emails claim that, because of an addressing error, a parcel could not be delivered and you should therefore click a link or open an attached file to retrieve shipping details. The links open websites that harbour malware. The attachments generally contain the malware in a .zip file.
And, as Christmas approaches, the frequency of these scams tends to increase. The criminals know that, near Christmas, more people are expecting packages from friends and family or sending packages themselves. Thus, the criminals tend to trick more people into infecting their computers than at other times of the year.
The criminals often try to create a sense of urgency in their bogus messages by warning that a package will not be delivered in time for Christmas if you do not follow the instructions in the email immediately.
Be very wary of any email that claims a package delivery has failed and you must click a link or open an attachment to fix the problem.
Common subject lines the company has been tracking include:
*We could not deliver your parcel, #00556030
*Please Confirm Your DHL Shipment
*Problems with item delivery, n.000834069
*Delivery Receipt | Confirm Awb no:XXX830169
*Your order is ready to be delivered
*Courier was unable to deliver the parcel, ID00990381
*Your DHL is here please download attachment to view detail and confirmation of your address
UPS keeps a page on its site showing various examples of fake delivery notices, with tips on how to spot fraud. The Federal Trade Commission also has information up on how consumers can protect themselves.
The fake messages tend to come in two main types. Some contain malware that invades your computer and either allows it to be used by a botnet or attempts to find and extract personal information about you that could be sold, or login information for your financial accounts. The most damaging can contain ransomware. This is software that allows criminals to remotely lock up your computer. They then send a message demanding payment in untraceable digital currency such as Bitcoin.
Check it twice. To protect yourself, look carefully at any emailed package delivery notice. Do they include your full name, customer number and actual information from the company? Is the email address it came from actually the company or some odd variant? For example, an email purporting to be from FedEx that came to this reporter Wednesday was actually from FedEx-intl.com, a non-existent address. If there’s any doubt don’t click, experts say. Take the time to actually type in the Amazon or UPS or FedEx address. It won't take that much longer but will protect you.
Gift Card Survey Scams:
Survey scammers also exploit the holiday season. Typically, the scammers will create fake Christmas promotion Facebook Pages that falsely claim to be associated with well-known brands such as Kmart, Target or Bunnings. Via these pages, they will offer you the chance to win Christmas gift cards and vouchers. But, to enter, you are required to like the fake Page and share its bogus promotions with all of your friends. Then, you will be told that you must participate in various online surveys or offers as a condition of entry or to verify your identity.
In reality, the promised gift cards do not exist and the personal information you provide on the bogus survey sites will be used to inundate you with unwanted marketing material and phone calls. You may also be tricked into subscribing to very expensive SMS “services”. As well as gift cards and vouchers, survey scammers may also offer “Christmas Promotions” that supposedly allow you to win expensive prizes such as luxury cars or game consoles. Be wary of any ‘promotion’ that claims that you must like and share material and participate in online surveys to enter.
Charity Phishing Scams:
Many charitable organisations hold Christmas or holiday appeals to raise extra funds. And, with the Christmas spirit upon them, people may be more likely to give to those less fortunate. Again, criminals are aware of this. Carefully vet messages asking you to donate to Christmas or holiday appeals. Scam messages may contain links to bogus websites designed to emulate the sites of genuine charities. Once on the fake site, you will be asked to donate by providing your credit card details and other personal and financial information. Criminals can collect the information you submit and use it for credit card fraud and identity theft.
When donating, always ensure that you are giving to a genuine charity.
Christmas Reward Phishing Scams:
Another Christmas themed criminal tactic is to send out emails claiming to be from well-known banks or companies that offer “customer rewards” such as cash bonuses or vouchers as part of a Christmas promotion. The emails will instruct you to click a link to claim your bonus. The link will take you to a website that looks just like the targeted bank’s real website. Once there, you will be asked to login and provide personal and financial information, ostensibly to allow you to claim the bonus. But, again, the criminals will collect the information you provide and use it to hijack your account and commit financial fraud and identity theft.
Fake Shopping Websites:
Criminals also capitalise on the holiday shopping frenzy by tricking people into “buying” items on fake retail websites. They launch spam campaigns that offer seemingly unbeatable ‘Christmas Deals’. Links in the messages lead to sites that look like the websites of well-known companies. They may use logos and other elements stolen from genuine company websites. But, you will never receive any items you ‘buy’ on these fake sites. And, via the phoney purchase pages on the scam websites, criminals can harvest your credit card details and other personal information.
Advance Fee Scams:
During the Christmas period, advance fee scammers often alter their bogus cover stories to fit the season. For example, they may claim in their scam messages that you have won a substantial cash prize in a “Christmas Rewards Program” organised by a high-profile company such as Google or Microsoft. Or, they may claim that, to celebrate Christmas, a wealthy philanthropist or a previous lottery winner has decided to give away millions of dollars to people randomly selected via their email addresses. Of course, as with all such advance fee prize scams, the messages are designed to trick people into sending their money and personal information to criminals.
eCard Malware:
Holiday eCards can be a fun way to send holiday greetings to your friends and family. But, crooks often use fake eCard notifications to trick people into visiting sites that contain malware. The notification emails may look like they are from a genuine eCard provider. But, when you click the link in the hope of viewing your eCard, you may be tricked into downloading and installing malware. Remember that genuine eCards will contain the name and email address of the sender, which should be somebody you know.
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A few more scams to mention before we move on to travel and home safety tips:
12 OTHER SCAMS - Not Holiday Related
#1. Arrest Warrant Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Pakistan
Medium: Email, Phones
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Arrest warrant scams have affected consumers for years and sadly continue to be a prominent scam in the United States. This scam operates through multiple phone calls, with scammers making random threatening calls to consumers in order to have them fall for the scam.
These unlawful individuals accuse innocent consumers of unpaid credit card bills or loans and threaten the victim with possible jail time or a lawsuit. Some scammers will even invite an accomplice to speak on the phone and impersonate a legal representative or a police officer. Victims may have experienced unpaid credit card bills or pay a scammer in order to end the threatening phone calls.
Scammers usually repeat this technique at later dates to receive more money from the victim, but in cases have been known to disappear after receiving money. We advise that consumers report phone numbers and any data received to warn others about these scamming phone calls.
#2. Online Dating Scams
Target: USA, Worldwide
Originates From: African
Medium: Email, Phones
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Dating scams are unfortunately very prevalent in the Internet age of online romance. Scammers may create a fake dating profile with a picture of a potential partner that they have located through Google Image or other search engines. The offending individual may operate hundreds of profiles with the same pictures and information to lure multiple victims.
A scammer will then message individuals on dating websites and pretend that they are interested in meeting up and having a relationship. Weeks or months go by and the scammer's demeanor suddenly changes. Victims may fall for their dream date's story of an emergency or personal situation that they are unable to afford and feel compelled to send the scammer money. Reasons generally range from a stolen wallet, hospital bills, to funeral expenses for a loved one. Scammers may even claim to want to travel to their date's location but state that they are short on cash.
Scammers may disappear after receiving money or continue a “relationship” just to ask for more payments at a later time. Scammers could even emerge after months of no contact to pretend to want to "reconcile" in order to receive more money from the victim.
Because online dating is so popular in the digital era, this scam is all too common these days.
#3. Counterfeit Merchandise
Target: USA, Worldwide
Originates From: China
Medium: Website
Outcome: Financial loss
Counterfeit product scams occur when a consumer purchases “knock off” products at a discounted price from fake websites. These items may include trendy clothes or new electronics. Consumers looking for a deal may see an advertisement on their Facebook or through a Google search and be tempted by the low prices.
These websites, usually operated from China, present brand name products and deliver low-quality merchandise. Some consumers never even receive their orders! We urge you to report any companies operating in these scams to save consumers from losing money on fraudulent purchases.
#4. Employment Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Asia
Medium: Website, Email, Classifieds
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
This year, many have fallen victim to popular work-from-home and employment scams. Members of job sites, including Craigslist, Monster, and Yahoo! Jobs are generally the biggest targets of these scams. Potential employees looking for a job that they can do from their home computer will be tempted by the offers from these scammers.
Scammers will correspond with victims through semi-professional e-mails and pose as a recruiter or HR representative to set up an interview. Skype and Yahoo! Messenger are sometimes involved to complete the interview and provide the victim with a sense of security by “meeting” face to face. The victim is always hired by the scamming company, even if they have limited experience or the interview was unsuccessful.
The trick of this scam is when the “new employee” receives a salary check up-front or after completing fake work. The scammer claims that the company has overpaid and they need the victim to transfer funds to a different account. The hopeful employee then gets word that the check has bounced and they must pay additional fees. There is no job, and the victim has just been scammed out of their own money and hopes of a solid career.
#5. Re-Shipping Scam
Target: USA
Originates From: Russia, Eastern Europe
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
You may have seen employment ads for “quality assurance managers” and “merchandise inspection agents.” Scammers will pose as seemingly authentic organizations with a professional website to trap you into this scam.
The job sounds simple at first. "Employees" receive packages to inspect for quality and are instructed to send the package to an international address. These packages could include electronics, clothing, or a variety of goods. The reality is that the items have been bought with illegal credit cards or even stolen by the scammer.
So how do scammers get away with this? Scammers never order the merchandise to their address in the United States and bypass security measures since most online stores do not allow international shipping. By using a victim as a third party, the scammers do not take responsibility for receiving or sending stolen goods.
If you find yourself a victim of a re-shipping scam, we urge you to file a complaint with your local law enforcement department and include any information needed to start an investigation. Give any stolen merchandise to the police or return it to its original address.
#6. Fake Checks
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Check frauds remain a popular and harmful scam in the United States today. Victims are generally online sellers, rental property managers, and “employees” of an online business. Victims will receive an authentic-looking check for payment or salary purposes. Scammers will tell the victim that they have mistakenly overpaid them or included extra money to a third party for delivery instructions. The scammers instruct their victim to wire back the money using transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
How does a victim get scammed? In the end, the check turns out to be fake. Due to bank processing time of up to 10 days, it appears in the victim's available balance. Victims end up sending their own money back to the scammers and finds out that the check has bounced days later. They then have to additionally pay a bounced check fee, in the range of $25 to $50.
#7. Fake Loans
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Asia
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Fake loan scams occur when scammers run legitimate looking websites that target consumers with bad credit and promise to deliver unsecured loans. These scams are generally operated outside of the United States.
This scam works when victims provide their banking and personal information in the hopes of receiving a loan. Scammers will ask the victim for a “security” or “good faith” payment upfront via services like MoneyGram and Western Union. The scammers will then disappear with the victim's social security numbers and bank account information, leaving the risk of identity theft very high.
#8. Grant Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India
Medium: Phone, Emails
Outcome: Financial loss
Government grant scams happen when scammers use Voice Over IP (VOIP) telephone services appearing to be from North America to call consumers in the United States. These scammers are usually from Pakistan and India, but the VOIP service disguises their true location.
Victims are told that they qualify for a United States grant, but must pay a processing fee first in order to have the grant issued. Scammers may accept payment from a debit card but generally ask for money from a transfer service like Western Union and MoneyGram.
The scammers may disappear completely after receiving the fees, leaving the victim without a grant and robbed of their money. Scammers may also continue to call the victim to obtain more money for further "processing" fees.
#9. Lottery Scams
Target: Worldwide
Originates From: India, Africa
Medium: Emails, Phones
Outcome: Financial loss
Lottery scams are generally operated through e-mail but may also be delivered to your mailbox through the Postal Service. Victims will receive a message stating that they have won a large amount of money and need to call or e-mail to begin a claim process. Victims are instructed to pay “government taxes” or a “processing fee” to receive their prize.
Scammers may even claim to be from well-known lottery companies, such as Publisher's Clearing House. The victim then waits to receive their claim; however, no prize ever arrives. They are then out the money that they paid for “taxes” or “fees.”
#10. Pet Delivery Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website
Outcome: Financial loss
Pet scams occur when a scammer claims to be a professional breeder and sets up a fake website to sell baby animals. Kittens and puppies are offered for free or at a tempting discount price to go to a good home. Scammers have even used classified websites like Craigslist to find their victims in some cases.
Scammers instruct a potential new pet owner to pay for vaccination, processing, and shipping fees before the “breeder” can deliver their pet. Sadly, the scammer has been using Google images and fake information so no such pet arrives at the hopeful owner's door.
#11. Phishing Scams
Target: Worldiwde
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website, Email
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Phishing scams are usually operated through a seemingly authentic e-mail to a victim. The message appears to have been sent from a reliable source, such as a bank or a legal organization. Scammers may claim that your bank account has been compromised and that you need to verify your information in order to access your account again. A link will appear in the message and lead you to a website that appears to be the legitimate establishment in question.
In reality, the website is a copycat page with a form to fill in with your log-in and personal information. After receiving your information, victims are informed that their account has been successfully reactivated. Scammers then obtain your log-in, billing, and private information to store for fraudulent purposes.
The truth is that banks and professional organizations usually do not e-mail consumers when their account is compromised. You may receive an error on the page in the case of online banking and call Customer Service to reactivate, rather than a personal e-mail. Please contact the establishment in question if you receive any e-mail that appears questionable.
#12. Rental Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Email, Classifieds
Outcome: Financial loss
Victims of property rental scams are targeted by scammers through online classified ads, like Craigslist, or even legitimate property rental websites. Scammers falsely claim to own a property and will rent it out for a very discounted price to interested consumers.
When a victim messages inquiring about a rental property, the scammer asks to be wired money through a transferring service such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Low and behold, the scammer disappears and ignores further messages after receiving payment.
We suggest that you thoroughly background check any rental property offers and pay by credit card or check to the realtors in order to avoid this scam.
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Crime Prevention Tips For The Holiday Season
How to Keep From Becoming a Holiday Crime Victim
The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
Trees
Lights
Decorations
Toy Safety
Food Safety
Happy Visiting
Fireplaces
Tips For Safe Holiday Travel
Highway Safety Tips for Christmas Travel
Download mobile weather apps to your phone like AccuWeather or The Weather Channel and program cities along your route to monitor every 100 - 250 miles you wil be traveling through to stay on top of current weather alerts. You may also want to check The Weather Channel's website to find out the weather conditions of the interstates and roads you will be traveling on. If these resources are not options, you can check the Federal Highway Administration's website for up-to-the-minute traffic information, detours and road construction before you leave.
Technology can fail - keep a current road atlas in your car! Many travel centers and gas stations have TVs inside, look for them when you stop for fuel and sometimes you can catch weather reports and other traffic related information. Keep your radio tuned to local stations as you travel for local traffic and weather updates that you wouldn't hear if listening to satelite radio, CDs, or MP3s.
Common Sense Safety
Airline Safety and Tips
Map out Plan B. Figure out your next best flight options in case your plane is delayed or canceled. A simple online search at sites like Kayak.com or ITASoftware.com will give you a quick snapshot of available flights. That way you can suggest alternatives that you prefer rather than end up at the mercy of frazzled booking agents.
Load up your cellphone with emergency numbers. In addition to the airline reservation line, include the number for the frequent flier representative if you are a member. Those booking agents tend to have more experience in looking for creative itineraries and may be helpful in finding an alternative flight. If you booked through a third-party travel site like Expedia or Travelocity, add its customer service line to your roster; it may be able to advocate on your behalf.
To make sure you’re not left out in the cold — or on the airport floor — when that snowstorm grounds all flights, add the numbers of some major hotel chains, like Starwood or Marriott, with airport locations. There are several free apps that offer nearby real-time hotel listings with available rooms, including HotelPal, Hotels.com and Kayak.com.
Set up a flight alert for yourself and anyone who may need to know your whereabouts, like the aunt who offered to pick you up at the airport. These services, offered by most airlines and Web sites like Flightstats.com, let travelers know if a gate or flight time has changed via e-mail or text message. Orbitz.com allows customers to alert up to six people at a time. Knowing about such changes early can give you an edge over the 100-plus other passengers on your plane if there is a cancellation and you need to alter your plans.
Pack smart. Leave the shower gel or anything else you can pick up at your destination. Have gifts shipped ahead so you don’t have to lug them with you. Edit your wardrobe: do you really need three sets of heels for dinner at Grandma’s or will one pair do? A carry-on will also allow you to avoid the scrum at baggage claim and easily move between flights if your itinerary is wrecked by delays.
Know your rights. This is critical during busy travel periods when flights are often overbooked and confusion reigns. Travelers can receive up to $400 if they are involuntarily bumped and rebooked on another flight within two hours after their original domestic flight time and within four hours for international flights. They are eligible for up to $800 in cash if they are not rerouted by then.
Check in ahead of time online. This may be common sense, but it’s important to arrive at the airport with boarding pass in hand because the last travelers to check in are often the first to be bumped when a flight is oversold. Most airlines allow travelers to check in online as much as 24 hours in advance.
Reserve a parking spot. Holidays are also crunch time at airport parking lots, where the best spots fill up fast. You can avoid circling the airport in search of a space by reserving a parking spots at off-airport lots, which offer shuttles to the airport. Services like Park ’n Fly Network and AirportParkingReservations.com allow travelers to search for and reserve a spot by plugging in their departure airport and travel dates. Rates start at about $6 a day, but vary by airport.
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Keep Your Home Safe and Secure During the Holidays
The best thing we can suggest for home safety during the holidays, as well as the rest of the year, is to have a monitored security system. But there are several other things you can do in addition to that to help keep your home and family safe. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
Take care of your electronics as well, those that are meant as gifts and those already in the home. Keep cameras, CDs, DVD players, computers, and iPads within your view and out of sight for a burglar.
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HOLIDAY MENTAL HEALTH TIPS
Check on your family and friends throughout the holiday season!
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-273-8255
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Official P&P Radio Show Christmas Card Vote in the chat room.
The Better Business Bureau has issued a new warning just in time for holiday shopping.
Officials say that some retail apps that look real and use real store names could be fake. The goal of the scammers, they say, is to take advantage of the holiday shopping season and steal personal information. The BBB says the scam has impersonated Apple store apps for well-known retailers, like Dollar Tree, Nordstrom and Zappos. Some of the apps steal banking and credit card information; others lock the phone and demand ransom to unlock it. Another concern is that some apps require users to log in through social media, exposing personal information there.
The BBB reports that Apple is actively removing these apps, but developers simply build new ones.
“Look at certain things on the app, things like misspelled words or how neat does it look,” said Tim Maniscalo with the Better Business Bureau. “Good companies will have a very professional looking app, and the other ones may not necessarily be all that professional looking.”
The BBB offers some tips to protect personal information:
- Read the fine print in the app store, especially the reviews
- Get the app through the retailer’s web site
- Freeze your credit
Online & Social Media Scams:
Since more and more shoppers are choosing to buy gifts online, the Better Business Bureau recommends using caution when shopping. The Better Business Bureau says because many retailers now have chip card readers, fraud at bricks-and-mortar stores is down, so scammers have shifted their efforts online.
In order to avoid getting scammed, they recommend using a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online. Also, shop on secure websites. Look for “https” in the address (The extra “s” is for “secure”) and for a lock symbol. Look-alike websites: When shopping online, make sure to use only legitimate websites. Watch out for URLs that use the names of well-known brands along with extra words.
Fake shipping notifications: These can have attachments or links to sites that will download malware on your computer to steal your identity and your passwords. Don’t be fooled by a holiday phishing scam.
E-cards: Electronic cards can be great fun, but be careful. Two red flags to watch out for are: the sender’s name is not apparent; you are required to share additional information to get the card.
Letters from Santa: Several trusted companies offer charming and personalized letters from Santa, but scammers mimic them to get personal information from unsuspecting parents. Check with bbb.org to find out which ones are legitimate.
Emergency scam: Be cautious if you get a call from a family member or friend claiming to be in an accident, arrested, or hospitalized while traveling in another country. Never send money unless you confirm with another family member that it’s true.
Phony charities: Everyone is in a generous mood at the holidays, so scammers take advantage of that with fake charity solicitations in email, on social media sites, and even by text. Check out charities at give.org before donating.
Temporary holiday jobs: Retailers and delivery services need extra help at the holidays, but beware of solicitations that require you to share personal information online or pay for a job lead. Apply in person or go to retailers’ main websites to find out who is hiring.
Unusual forms of payment: Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay for holiday purchases using prepaid debit cards, gift cards, wire transfers, third parties, etc. These payments cannot be traced and cannot be undone.
Free gift cards: Pop-up ads or email offering free gift cards are often just a ploy to get your personal information that can later be used for identity theft.
Social media gift exchange: It sounds like a great deal; buy one gift and get 36 in return. But it’s just a variation on a pyramid scheme and it’s illegal.
Once again:
If you are aware of an impostor app, report it to the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker.
If you are a victim, the BBB says to say call your financial institutions immediately.
Package Delivery Malware Emails:
Criminals regularly send out bogus “failed package delivery” notifications as a means of distributing malware. The emails claim that, because of an addressing error, a parcel could not be delivered and you should therefore click a link or open an attached file to retrieve shipping details. The links open websites that harbour malware. The attachments generally contain the malware in a .zip file.
And, as Christmas approaches, the frequency of these scams tends to increase. The criminals know that, near Christmas, more people are expecting packages from friends and family or sending packages themselves. Thus, the criminals tend to trick more people into infecting their computers than at other times of the year.
The criminals often try to create a sense of urgency in their bogus messages by warning that a package will not be delivered in time for Christmas if you do not follow the instructions in the email immediately.
Be very wary of any email that claims a package delivery has failed and you must click a link or open an attachment to fix the problem.
Common subject lines the company has been tracking include:
*We could not deliver your parcel, #00556030
*Please Confirm Your DHL Shipment
*Problems with item delivery, n.000834069
*Delivery Receipt | Confirm Awb no:XXX830169
*Your order is ready to be delivered
*Courier was unable to deliver the parcel, ID00990381
*Your DHL is here please download attachment to view detail and confirmation of your address
UPS keeps a page on its site showing various examples of fake delivery notices, with tips on how to spot fraud. The Federal Trade Commission also has information up on how consumers can protect themselves.
The fake messages tend to come in two main types. Some contain malware that invades your computer and either allows it to be used by a botnet or attempts to find and extract personal information about you that could be sold, or login information for your financial accounts. The most damaging can contain ransomware. This is software that allows criminals to remotely lock up your computer. They then send a message demanding payment in untraceable digital currency such as Bitcoin.
Check it twice. To protect yourself, look carefully at any emailed package delivery notice. Do they include your full name, customer number and actual information from the company? Is the email address it came from actually the company or some odd variant? For example, an email purporting to be from FedEx that came to this reporter Wednesday was actually from FedEx-intl.com, a non-existent address. If there’s any doubt don’t click, experts say. Take the time to actually type in the Amazon or UPS or FedEx address. It won't take that much longer but will protect you.
Gift Card Survey Scams:
Survey scammers also exploit the holiday season. Typically, the scammers will create fake Christmas promotion Facebook Pages that falsely claim to be associated with well-known brands such as Kmart, Target or Bunnings. Via these pages, they will offer you the chance to win Christmas gift cards and vouchers. But, to enter, you are required to like the fake Page and share its bogus promotions with all of your friends. Then, you will be told that you must participate in various online surveys or offers as a condition of entry or to verify your identity.
In reality, the promised gift cards do not exist and the personal information you provide on the bogus survey sites will be used to inundate you with unwanted marketing material and phone calls. You may also be tricked into subscribing to very expensive SMS “services”. As well as gift cards and vouchers, survey scammers may also offer “Christmas Promotions” that supposedly allow you to win expensive prizes such as luxury cars or game consoles. Be wary of any ‘promotion’ that claims that you must like and share material and participate in online surveys to enter.
Charity Phishing Scams:
Many charitable organisations hold Christmas or holiday appeals to raise extra funds. And, with the Christmas spirit upon them, people may be more likely to give to those less fortunate. Again, criminals are aware of this. Carefully vet messages asking you to donate to Christmas or holiday appeals. Scam messages may contain links to bogus websites designed to emulate the sites of genuine charities. Once on the fake site, you will be asked to donate by providing your credit card details and other personal and financial information. Criminals can collect the information you submit and use it for credit card fraud and identity theft.
When donating, always ensure that you are giving to a genuine charity.
Christmas Reward Phishing Scams:
Another Christmas themed criminal tactic is to send out emails claiming to be from well-known banks or companies that offer “customer rewards” such as cash bonuses or vouchers as part of a Christmas promotion. The emails will instruct you to click a link to claim your bonus. The link will take you to a website that looks just like the targeted bank’s real website. Once there, you will be asked to login and provide personal and financial information, ostensibly to allow you to claim the bonus. But, again, the criminals will collect the information you provide and use it to hijack your account and commit financial fraud and identity theft.
Fake Shopping Websites:
Criminals also capitalise on the holiday shopping frenzy by tricking people into “buying” items on fake retail websites. They launch spam campaigns that offer seemingly unbeatable ‘Christmas Deals’. Links in the messages lead to sites that look like the websites of well-known companies. They may use logos and other elements stolen from genuine company websites. But, you will never receive any items you ‘buy’ on these fake sites. And, via the phoney purchase pages on the scam websites, criminals can harvest your credit card details and other personal information.
Advance Fee Scams:
During the Christmas period, advance fee scammers often alter their bogus cover stories to fit the season. For example, they may claim in their scam messages that you have won a substantial cash prize in a “Christmas Rewards Program” organised by a high-profile company such as Google or Microsoft. Or, they may claim that, to celebrate Christmas, a wealthy philanthropist or a previous lottery winner has decided to give away millions of dollars to people randomly selected via their email addresses. Of course, as with all such advance fee prize scams, the messages are designed to trick people into sending their money and personal information to criminals.
eCard Malware:
Holiday eCards can be a fun way to send holiday greetings to your friends and family. But, crooks often use fake eCard notifications to trick people into visiting sites that contain malware. The notification emails may look like they are from a genuine eCard provider. But, when you click the link in the hope of viewing your eCard, you may be tricked into downloading and installing malware. Remember that genuine eCards will contain the name and email address of the sender, which should be somebody you know.
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A few more scams to mention before we move on to travel and home safety tips:
12 OTHER SCAMS - Not Holiday Related
#1. Arrest Warrant Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Pakistan
Medium: Email, Phones
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Arrest warrant scams have affected consumers for years and sadly continue to be a prominent scam in the United States. This scam operates through multiple phone calls, with scammers making random threatening calls to consumers in order to have them fall for the scam.
These unlawful individuals accuse innocent consumers of unpaid credit card bills or loans and threaten the victim with possible jail time or a lawsuit. Some scammers will even invite an accomplice to speak on the phone and impersonate a legal representative or a police officer. Victims may have experienced unpaid credit card bills or pay a scammer in order to end the threatening phone calls.
Scammers usually repeat this technique at later dates to receive more money from the victim, but in cases have been known to disappear after receiving money. We advise that consumers report phone numbers and any data received to warn others about these scamming phone calls.
#2. Online Dating Scams
Target: USA, Worldwide
Originates From: African
Medium: Email, Phones
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Dating scams are unfortunately very prevalent in the Internet age of online romance. Scammers may create a fake dating profile with a picture of a potential partner that they have located through Google Image or other search engines. The offending individual may operate hundreds of profiles with the same pictures and information to lure multiple victims.
A scammer will then message individuals on dating websites and pretend that they are interested in meeting up and having a relationship. Weeks or months go by and the scammer's demeanor suddenly changes. Victims may fall for their dream date's story of an emergency or personal situation that they are unable to afford and feel compelled to send the scammer money. Reasons generally range from a stolen wallet, hospital bills, to funeral expenses for a loved one. Scammers may even claim to want to travel to their date's location but state that they are short on cash.
Scammers may disappear after receiving money or continue a “relationship” just to ask for more payments at a later time. Scammers could even emerge after months of no contact to pretend to want to "reconcile" in order to receive more money from the victim.
Because online dating is so popular in the digital era, this scam is all too common these days.
#3. Counterfeit Merchandise
Target: USA, Worldwide
Originates From: China
Medium: Website
Outcome: Financial loss
Counterfeit product scams occur when a consumer purchases “knock off” products at a discounted price from fake websites. These items may include trendy clothes or new electronics. Consumers looking for a deal may see an advertisement on their Facebook or through a Google search and be tempted by the low prices.
These websites, usually operated from China, present brand name products and deliver low-quality merchandise. Some consumers never even receive their orders! We urge you to report any companies operating in these scams to save consumers from losing money on fraudulent purchases.
#4. Employment Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Asia
Medium: Website, Email, Classifieds
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
This year, many have fallen victim to popular work-from-home and employment scams. Members of job sites, including Craigslist, Monster, and Yahoo! Jobs are generally the biggest targets of these scams. Potential employees looking for a job that they can do from their home computer will be tempted by the offers from these scammers.
Scammers will correspond with victims through semi-professional e-mails and pose as a recruiter or HR representative to set up an interview. Skype and Yahoo! Messenger are sometimes involved to complete the interview and provide the victim with a sense of security by “meeting” face to face. The victim is always hired by the scamming company, even if they have limited experience or the interview was unsuccessful.
The trick of this scam is when the “new employee” receives a salary check up-front or after completing fake work. The scammer claims that the company has overpaid and they need the victim to transfer funds to a different account. The hopeful employee then gets word that the check has bounced and they must pay additional fees. There is no job, and the victim has just been scammed out of their own money and hopes of a solid career.
#5. Re-Shipping Scam
Target: USA
Originates From: Russia, Eastern Europe
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
You may have seen employment ads for “quality assurance managers” and “merchandise inspection agents.” Scammers will pose as seemingly authentic organizations with a professional website to trap you into this scam.
The job sounds simple at first. "Employees" receive packages to inspect for quality and are instructed to send the package to an international address. These packages could include electronics, clothing, or a variety of goods. The reality is that the items have been bought with illegal credit cards or even stolen by the scammer.
So how do scammers get away with this? Scammers never order the merchandise to their address in the United States and bypass security measures since most online stores do not allow international shipping. By using a victim as a third party, the scammers do not take responsibility for receiving or sending stolen goods.
If you find yourself a victim of a re-shipping scam, we urge you to file a complaint with your local law enforcement department and include any information needed to start an investigation. Give any stolen merchandise to the police or return it to its original address.
#6. Fake Checks
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Check frauds remain a popular and harmful scam in the United States today. Victims are generally online sellers, rental property managers, and “employees” of an online business. Victims will receive an authentic-looking check for payment or salary purposes. Scammers will tell the victim that they have mistakenly overpaid them or included extra money to a third party for delivery instructions. The scammers instruct their victim to wire back the money using transfer services like Western Union or MoneyGram.
How does a victim get scammed? In the end, the check turns out to be fake. Due to bank processing time of up to 10 days, it appears in the victim's available balance. Victims end up sending their own money back to the scammers and finds out that the check has bounced days later. They then have to additionally pay a bounced check fee, in the range of $25 to $50.
#7. Fake Loans
Target: USA
Originates From: India, Asia
Medium: Website, Snail mail
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Fake loan scams occur when scammers run legitimate looking websites that target consumers with bad credit and promise to deliver unsecured loans. These scams are generally operated outside of the United States.
This scam works when victims provide their banking and personal information in the hopes of receiving a loan. Scammers will ask the victim for a “security” or “good faith” payment upfront via services like MoneyGram and Western Union. The scammers will then disappear with the victim's social security numbers and bank account information, leaving the risk of identity theft very high.
#8. Grant Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: India
Medium: Phone, Emails
Outcome: Financial loss
Government grant scams happen when scammers use Voice Over IP (VOIP) telephone services appearing to be from North America to call consumers in the United States. These scammers are usually from Pakistan and India, but the VOIP service disguises their true location.
Victims are told that they qualify for a United States grant, but must pay a processing fee first in order to have the grant issued. Scammers may accept payment from a debit card but generally ask for money from a transfer service like Western Union and MoneyGram.
The scammers may disappear completely after receiving the fees, leaving the victim without a grant and robbed of their money. Scammers may also continue to call the victim to obtain more money for further "processing" fees.
#9. Lottery Scams
Target: Worldwide
Originates From: India, Africa
Medium: Emails, Phones
Outcome: Financial loss
Lottery scams are generally operated through e-mail but may also be delivered to your mailbox through the Postal Service. Victims will receive a message stating that they have won a large amount of money and need to call or e-mail to begin a claim process. Victims are instructed to pay “government taxes” or a “processing fee” to receive their prize.
Scammers may even claim to be from well-known lottery companies, such as Publisher's Clearing House. The victim then waits to receive their claim; however, no prize ever arrives. They are then out the money that they paid for “taxes” or “fees.”
#10. Pet Delivery Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website
Outcome: Financial loss
Pet scams occur when a scammer claims to be a professional breeder and sets up a fake website to sell baby animals. Kittens and puppies are offered for free or at a tempting discount price to go to a good home. Scammers have even used classified websites like Craigslist to find their victims in some cases.
Scammers instruct a potential new pet owner to pay for vaccination, processing, and shipping fees before the “breeder” can deliver their pet. Sadly, the scammer has been using Google images and fake information so no such pet arrives at the hopeful owner's door.
#11. Phishing Scams
Target: Worldiwde
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Website, Email
Outcome: ID-theft, Financial loss
Phishing scams are usually operated through a seemingly authentic e-mail to a victim. The message appears to have been sent from a reliable source, such as a bank or a legal organization. Scammers may claim that your bank account has been compromised and that you need to verify your information in order to access your account again. A link will appear in the message and lead you to a website that appears to be the legitimate establishment in question.
In reality, the website is a copycat page with a form to fill in with your log-in and personal information. After receiving your information, victims are informed that their account has been successfully reactivated. Scammers then obtain your log-in, billing, and private information to store for fraudulent purposes.
The truth is that banks and professional organizations usually do not e-mail consumers when their account is compromised. You may receive an error on the page in the case of online banking and call Customer Service to reactivate, rather than a personal e-mail. Please contact the establishment in question if you receive any e-mail that appears questionable.
#12. Rental Scams
Target: USA
Originates From: Unknown
Medium: Email, Classifieds
Outcome: Financial loss
Victims of property rental scams are targeted by scammers through online classified ads, like Craigslist, or even legitimate property rental websites. Scammers falsely claim to own a property and will rent it out for a very discounted price to interested consumers.
When a victim messages inquiring about a rental property, the scammer asks to be wired money through a transferring service such as MoneyGram or Western Union. Low and behold, the scammer disappears and ignores further messages after receiving payment.
We suggest that you thoroughly background check any rental property offers and pay by credit card or check to the realtors in order to avoid this scam.
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Crime Prevention Tips For The Holiday Season
How to Keep From Becoming a Holiday Crime Victim
The following tips can help you be more careful, prepared and aware during the holiday season.
- Try to shop during the day, but if you do shop at night, do not do it alone.
- Dress casually and comfortably.
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
- Do not carry a purse or wallet, if possible. Consider bringing a security travel pouch instead.
- Always carry your driver's license or identification along with necessary cash, checks and/or a credit card you expect to use.
- Recognize when you are rushed, distracted and stressed out, and stay alert to what is going on around you.
- Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Pay for purchases with a check or credit card when possible.
- Keep cash in your front pocket.
- If you discover that a credit card is missing, notify the credit card company as soon as possible. Don't assume that you misplaced it and will find it later.
- Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
- Be extra careful if you do carry a wallet or purse. They are the prime targets of criminals in crowded shopping areas, terminals, bus stops, on buses and other rapid transit.
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility and freedom of motion if you are approached.
- Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you, including working in teams, with the intention of taking your money or belongings.
- When parking your vehicle to go shopping, remember where you parked it! Always park in a well lit and well traveled area. Do not park in a remote dark area.
- When you return to your vehicle, scan the interior of your car to be sure no one is hiding inside. Check to see if you are being followed.
- Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. You will be ready to unlock the door and will not be delayed by fumbling and looking for your keys.
- When storing items purchased at the stores, place them out of sight. The best place is in a locked trunk.
- Do not leave your purse, wallet, or cellular telephone in plain view.
- Don't resist if someone tries to take any of your belongings. Don't chase someone who robs you, they may have a weapon. Instead call 911.
- Lock your vehicle and put up your windows even while you are driving.
- If you go to an automatic teller machine for cash, check for people around and make sure it is well lit and in a safe location.
- Carry only the credit cards you need and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- If you make a purchase with your credit card, be sure to obtain the carbons or see that they are destroyed in front of you.
- Beware of the "a good deal" scams. Things are not always what they appear to be.
- If you are purchasing toys for small children, be sure that they are safe. You will be surprised what a small child can swallow or what can injure them.
- Drive defensively. Traffic is heavier during the holidays. Drivers may also have indulged in too much holiday spirits.
HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
Trees
- When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."
- When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
- When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators or portable heaters. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
- Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
- Be sure to keep the stand filled with water, because heated rooms can dry live trees out rapidly.
Lights
- Check all tree lights--even if you have just purchased them--before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections.
- Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
- Some light strands may contain lead in the bulb sockets and wire coating, sometimes in high amounts. Make sure your lights are out of reach of young children who might try to put lights in their mouths and wash your hands after handling them.
- Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
- Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
- Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
- Lights and candles are fire hazards. If you use electric lights, look for frayed or exposed wires, and make sure no wires are pinched by furniture and no cords run under rugs.
- Don't use the same extension cord for more than three strands of lights and turn off all lights before going to bed.
- When lighting candles, remove flammable materials from the area and never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Space heaters are involved in 79% of fatal home heating fires. If space heaters are in use, there should be a 3-foot open zone - make sure they are not close to curtains, blankets or other potentially flammable materials. Always turn off and unplug when unattended.
Decorations
- Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
- Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over.
- In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to prevent them from swallowing or inhaling small pieces. Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a young child to eat them.
- Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
- Remove all wrapping papers, bags, paper, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened. These items can pose suffocation and choking hazards to a small child or can cause a fire if near flame.
- Keep potentially poisonous holiday plant decorations, including mistletoe berries, Jerusalem cherry, and holly berry, away from children.
Toy Safety
- Select toys to suit the age, abilities, skills and interest level of the intended child. Toys too advanced may pose safety hazards for younger children.
- Before buying a toy or allowing your child to play with a toy that he has received as a gift, read the instructions carefully.
- To prevent both burns and electrical shocks, do not give young children (under age 10) a toy that must be plugged into an electrical outlet. Instead, buy toys that are battery-operated.
- Young children can choke on small parts contained in toys or games. Government regulations specify that toys for children under age three cannot have parts less than 1 1/4 inches in diameter and 2 1/4 inches long.
- Children can have serious stomach and intestinal problems – including death – after swallowing button batteries or magnets. In addition to toys, button batteries are often found in musical greeting cards, remote controls, hearing aids, and other small electronics. Small, powerful magnets are present in many homes as part of building toy sets. Keep button batteries and magnets away from young children and call your health care provider immediately if your child swallows one.
- Children can choke or suffocate on uninflated or broken balloons; do not allow children under age 8 to play with them.
- Remove tags, strings, and ribbons from toys before giving them to young children.
- Watch for pull toys with strings that are more than 12 inches in length. They could be a strangulation hazard for babies.
- Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy box, and keep older kids' toys away from young children. Use a toy box with no lid or a lightweight, non-locking lid and ventilation holes.
Food Safety
- Bacteria are often present in raw foods. Fully cook meats and poultry, and thoroughly wash raw vegetables and fruits.
- Keep hot liquids and food away from the edges of counters and tables, where they can be easily knocked over by a young child's exploring hands.
- Be sure that young children cannot access microwave ovens.
- Wash your hands frequently, and make sure children do the same.
- Never put a spoon used to taste food back into food without washing it.
- Always keep raw foods and cooked foods separate, and use separate utensils when preparing them.
- Always thaw meat in the refrigerator, never on the countertop.
- Foods that require refrigeration should never be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
Happy Visiting
- Clean up immediately after a holiday party. A toddler could rise early and choke on leftover food or come in contact with alcohol or tobacco.
- Remember that the homes you visit may not be childproofed. Keep an eye out for danger spots like unlocked cabinets, unattended purses, accessible cleaning or laundry products, stairways, or hot radiators.
- Keep a list with all of the important phone numbers you or a baby sitter are likely to need in case of an emergency. Include the police and fire department, your pediatrician and the national Poison Help Line, 1-800-222-1222. Laminating the list will prevent it from being torn or damaged by accidental spills.
- Always make sure your child rides in an appropriate car safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt. In cold weather, children in car safety seats should wear thin layers with a blanket over the top of the harness straps if needed, not a thick coat or snowsuit. See www.healthychildren.org/carseatguide for more information.
- Adults should buckle up too, and drivers should never be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Traveling, visiting family members, getting presents, shopping, etc., can all increase your child's stress levels. Trying to stick to your child's usual routines, including sleep schedules and timing of naps, can help you and your child enjoy the holidays and reduce stress.
Fireplaces
- Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open.
- Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
- Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
- If a glass-fronted gas fireplace is used, keep children and others well away from it with a screen or gate. The glass doors can get hot enough to cause serious burns and stay hot long after the fire is out.
Tips For Safe Holiday Travel
Highway Safety Tips for Christmas Travel
- Check on Conditions (Weather and Road)
Download mobile weather apps to your phone like AccuWeather or The Weather Channel and program cities along your route to monitor every 100 - 250 miles you wil be traveling through to stay on top of current weather alerts. You may also want to check The Weather Channel's website to find out the weather conditions of the interstates and roads you will be traveling on. If these resources are not options, you can check the Federal Highway Administration's website for up-to-the-minute traffic information, detours and road construction before you leave.
Technology can fail - keep a current road atlas in your car! Many travel centers and gas stations have TVs inside, look for them when you stop for fuel and sometimes you can catch weather reports and other traffic related information. Keep your radio tuned to local stations as you travel for local traffic and weather updates that you wouldn't hear if listening to satelite radio, CDs, or MP3s.
- Pack Some Supplies
- Winterize Your Car
- Keep Your Cell Phone Nearby
- Wear Your Seat Belt
- Proper Seating for Children
- Take Your Time
- Don't Rush
- Don't Eat Too Much
- Never Drink and Drive
Common Sense Safety
- Your passenger is your co-pilot! Have your passenger keep a check on weather and traffic info ahead as well and perform other tasks such as scanning for radio stations, looking for where to stop for food, fuel, etc. so you aren't distracted from the road.
- Watch the road, not your phone! If you are going to talk on the phone while driving (which is illegal in many states) only use voice dialing software and use speaker phone on your device or hands-free calling features equipped on many car stereo systems and GPS units. Have your passenger send messages or operate the phone for you. Only use the phone when stopping for fuel, food or taking a break.
- Chill out! Don't turn the heat too high while driving. Set your heat to the lowest comfortable setting you can to avoid heat-induced drowsiness.
- Roll down the window and get some fresh air! This will help prevent drowsiness.
- Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted and scan all 3 mirrors at least once every 20 - 30 seconds. This will keep you aware of your surroundings and prevent your eyes from tiring out due to road-gaze or driver's fatigue.
- Stop! Stop, get out of the vehicle, walk around and stretch for at least 5 minutes every 200 - 300 miles or 2 - 2 1/2 hours to stay awake and alert and prevent stiffness and drivers fatigue.
- Listen to local radio stations as you travel instead of satelite radio, CDs or MP3s. Local radio stations provide weather reports, traffic updates and other news that can impact your travel plans that you would miss if you are listening to your favorite CD.
- DON'T TAILGATE! Move over if someone is tailgating you to allow them to pass. Tailgating is one of the major causes of traffic accidents. Leave yourself time to react to changing traffic conditions ahead.
- Don't speed! Find another driver along your route that is traveling at a comfortable speed to follow to help pace yourself if necessary. Use cruise control in dry weather on highways to help control speed and SAVE FUEL! Remember to not use cruise control on curvy roads or on wet, snowy or icy roads.
- Inspect your vehicle at every stop along the route. As you walk away from and toward your vehicle, look underneath for signs of leaking fluids. Walk around your vehicle and inspect each tire for proper inflation and damage. Look under the hood for signs of leaking fluids, belt wear and loose wires or components. Check all engine fluids while stopped. This can prevent being broken down on the side of the road as well as costly repairs.
Airline Safety and Tips
Map out Plan B. Figure out your next best flight options in case your plane is delayed or canceled. A simple online search at sites like Kayak.com or ITASoftware.com will give you a quick snapshot of available flights. That way you can suggest alternatives that you prefer rather than end up at the mercy of frazzled booking agents.
Load up your cellphone with emergency numbers. In addition to the airline reservation line, include the number for the frequent flier representative if you are a member. Those booking agents tend to have more experience in looking for creative itineraries and may be helpful in finding an alternative flight. If you booked through a third-party travel site like Expedia or Travelocity, add its customer service line to your roster; it may be able to advocate on your behalf.
To make sure you’re not left out in the cold — or on the airport floor — when that snowstorm grounds all flights, add the numbers of some major hotel chains, like Starwood or Marriott, with airport locations. There are several free apps that offer nearby real-time hotel listings with available rooms, including HotelPal, Hotels.com and Kayak.com.
Set up a flight alert for yourself and anyone who may need to know your whereabouts, like the aunt who offered to pick you up at the airport. These services, offered by most airlines and Web sites like Flightstats.com, let travelers know if a gate or flight time has changed via e-mail or text message. Orbitz.com allows customers to alert up to six people at a time. Knowing about such changes early can give you an edge over the 100-plus other passengers on your plane if there is a cancellation and you need to alter your plans.
Pack smart. Leave the shower gel or anything else you can pick up at your destination. Have gifts shipped ahead so you don’t have to lug them with you. Edit your wardrobe: do you really need three sets of heels for dinner at Grandma’s or will one pair do? A carry-on will also allow you to avoid the scrum at baggage claim and easily move between flights if your itinerary is wrecked by delays.
Know your rights. This is critical during busy travel periods when flights are often overbooked and confusion reigns. Travelers can receive up to $400 if they are involuntarily bumped and rebooked on another flight within two hours after their original domestic flight time and within four hours for international flights. They are eligible for up to $800 in cash if they are not rerouted by then.
Check in ahead of time online. This may be common sense, but it’s important to arrive at the airport with boarding pass in hand because the last travelers to check in are often the first to be bumped when a flight is oversold. Most airlines allow travelers to check in online as much as 24 hours in advance.
Reserve a parking spot. Holidays are also crunch time at airport parking lots, where the best spots fill up fast. You can avoid circling the airport in search of a space by reserving a parking spots at off-airport lots, which offer shuttles to the airport. Services like Park ’n Fly Network and AirportParkingReservations.com allow travelers to search for and reserve a spot by plugging in their departure airport and travel dates. Rates start at about $6 a day, but vary by airport.
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Keep Your Home Safe and Secure During the Holidays
The best thing we can suggest for home safety during the holidays, as well as the rest of the year, is to have a monitored security system. But there are several other things you can do in addition to that to help keep your home and family safe. Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
- Keep your travel plans offline.
- Notify a neighbor.
- Hide any Christmas gifts.
Take care of your electronics as well, those that are meant as gifts and those already in the home. Keep cameras, CDs, DVD players, computers, and iPads within your view and out of sight for a burglar.
- Watch your Christmas lights.
- Inspect the furnace and the chimney.
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HOLIDAY MENTAL HEALTH TIPS
- Try to keep household routines the same. Stick to your child's usual sleep and mealtime schedules when you can, which may reduce stress and help your family enjoy the holidays.
- Take care of yourself both mentally and physically. Children and adolescents are affected by the emotional well-being of their parent or caregivers. Coping with stress successfully can help children learn how to handle stress better, too.
- Make a plan to focus on one thing at a time. Try a few ideas to balance the hustle and bustle of things like shopping, cooking, and family get-togethers during the holidays: Stop and pay attention to what is happening at the moment, focus your attention on one thing about it ,and notice how you are feeling at the time. Withhold immediate judgment, and instead be curious about the experience.
- Give to others by making it an annual holiday tradition to share your time and talents with people who have less than you do. For example, if your child is old enough, encourage him or her to join you in volunteering to serve a holiday meal at your local food bank or shelter or sing at a local nursing home. Help your child write a letter to members of the armed forces stationed abroad who can't be home with their own family during the holidays.
- Remember that many children and adults experience a sense of loss, sadness or isolation during the holidays. It is important to be sensitive to these feelings and ask for help for you, your children, family members or friends if needed.
- Kids still need to brush their teeth twice a day!
- Don't feel pressured to "over-spend on gifts." Consider making one or two gifts. Help your child make a gift for his or her other parent, grandparents, or other important adults and friends. Chances are, those gifts will be the most treasured ones and will teach your child many important lessons.
- Most important of all, enjoy the holidays for what they are -- time to enjoy with your family. So, be a family, do things together like sledding or playing board games, and spend time visiting with relatives, neighbors and friends.
Check on your family and friends throughout the holiday season!
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1-800-273-8255
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