Fraud & Cybersecurity Awareness

The holiday season is a time for giving, shopping, and celebration—but it’s also a prime opportunity for fraudsters to target unsuspecting shoppers. From online scams to contactless payment theft, staying vigilant is key to protecting your personal and financial information. Here’s what you need to know to avoid falling victim this year.

1. Protect Your Contactless Payments
With more shoppers using Tap to Pay and contactless payments, fraudsters have developed “ghost tapping” techniques. Using Near Field Communication (NFC), a scammer can steal small amounts of data from your mobile device when in close proximity—often just inches away. Be cautious in crowded areas like checkout lines, concerts, holiday markets, or street festivals, and keep your device secure.

2. Watch Out for Delivery Scams
Fraudsters may send texts claiming a package cannot be delivered unless you pay a small fee. These links can lead to stolen debit and credit card information. Always verify the delivery through the retailer’s official website or customer service number.

3. Be Wary of AI-Powered Fraud
Scammers are now using AI to create fake retail websites offering designer items at unbelievably low prices. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do not provide payment information on unfamiliar websites.

4. Recognize Phishing Scams
Phishing emails and texts mimic legitimate retailers to trick you into sharing personal or financial information. Always double-check URLs and never click suspicious links. When in doubt, contact the company directly using a verified phone number.

5. Avoid Social Media Gift Exchange Scams
Social media scams like “Secret Sister” gift exchanges are illegal pyramid schemes. They promise multiple gifts in exchange for sending one, but rely on recruiting new participants to continue. Avoid participating to protect yourself.

6. Guard Against Gift Card Scams
Never pay a seller with a prepaid card or gift card. These transactions are nearly impossible to trace and are a common tactic for scammers.

7. Be Cautious with Part-Time Holiday Job Offers
Job postings that require upfront payment for background checks, equipment, or supplies are often scams. Legitimate employers do not ask you to pay to work.

8. Verify Before You Click
Before responding to emails, texts, or links, search for the company’s official website and phone number. Confirm the communication is legitimate before taking any action.

9. Check URLs Carefully
Fraudsters often create websites with misspelled or extra words in the URL. Pay close attention to web addresses to ensure you’re on a legitimate site.

10. Stay Vigilant and Monitor Your Accounts
Holiday fraud can happen quickly. Keep a close eye on your accounts and any new purchases. The holiday season can also make banks and individuals more vulnerable to scams and money mule schemes, so extra attention is necessary.

A Special Thanks to Our Fidelity Bank Frontline Staff
We want to recognize our retail staff for their vigilance in protecting our customers from fraud. Their dedication helps keep everyone safe during the busy holiday season.