SECURITY CENTER

Scam Watch: How to spot fraud and scams

Scammers may be sophisticated, but working together, we can help stay ahead of them.

For most of us, the holidays are a time for giving, but for scammers it’s the season for taking.

Be extra careful buying items recommended through social media groups

Scammers know this time of year is a frenzy of shopping activity, with everyone scrambling to buy the right gifts for loved ones. Which is why they spin their scams to fit the holiday season and count on their victims making rushed decisions.

It was supposed to be the perfect present

The only thing on my 13-year-old son’s wish list was a specific drone that had sold out everywhere. I searched for weeks with no luck.

Then I saw a post in my local parents’ social media group. A woman named Anna said she had an extra one and was just trying to help other parents. The post had several likes and comments from people I recognized.

I messaged her and she sent a photo of the drone. She said I should hurry since she was going to choose the first person who said yes. I said “yes” immediately, knowing how much my son wanted it.

She asked me to use Zelle^® to pay for it so that she’d have the cash quickly and could use it to buy her daughter a gift.

She seemed very genuine and nice. Even though it was several hundred dollars, I sent her the payment with Zelle^®.

Later, I messaged her to arrange pickup of the drone, but there was no response. The next day, her profile was gone. That’s when I realized I’d been scammed. I never thought scammers were lurking in my parents group.

I wish I’d known:

A convincing profile doesn’t make someone real. Scammers often steal photos and personal details.
When someone pressures you to act quickly, it’s often a scam tactic.
Just because a group feels local and personal doesn’t mean it’s safe.
I should treat Zelle^® like using cash. Once I send it, I most likely won't get it back.

Package delivery scams spike during the holidays

This type of scam surges at this time of year because scammers know you're probably expecting deliveries or sending packages. They try to trick you into clicking malicious links and paying fake fees in order to steal your payment or personal info.

A simple text that will never be forgotten

Like every year, I’d ordered several gifts to be sent directly to my nieces and nephews. So when I got an “incomplete address” text from a well-known delivery company, I assumed I’d made a simple addressing mistake.

The link took me to a page with the company logo, tracking info and a date when the item would be returned to sender. I entered my name, address and card details to pay a $2.95 “re-routing fee,” then went back to wrapping gifts.

The next morning, my phone lit up with alerts: $520 at a department store and $1,200 for travel services. Scammers had cloned the delivery company’s website and I’d clicked on the link to their site.

What got me was how real it felt… the timing, the logos, the urgency. It was like someone had reached through my screen and into my wallet.

I wish I’d known:

Scam texts and emails about deliveries are common this time of year. Next time, I’ll track all my packages directly through the retailer.
Never click on links or call numbers from unexpected texts or emails.
A sense of urgency is a big red flag.
Legitimate companies won’t pressure you to pay to update your information.
That small $2.95 “fee” should have been a warning sign.

Be aware of the “unpaid toll scam” when you travel

During the holiday season many of us travel to visit friends and family. Scammers take advantage of this and send text messages claiming you have unpaid tolls. They link you to websites that look real, intending to steal your payment information.

The alert was for a small, past-due bill

It happened just before the New Year. I’d been traveling for the holidays and used a few toll roads, so when I got a text saying I had unpaid tolls, I didn’t question it.

The message warned of late fees and even the suspension of my registration if I didn’t pay immediately. The link led to what looked like a well-known toll collection site — showing an $18 balance due. It was such a small amount, I entered my card info to take care of it.

The next day, I saw seven unauthorized charges on my account — electronics, hotel bookings, gift cards. Over $1,800 in total. It was a scam

I wish I’d known:

Watch out for unsolicited texts demanding payment or threatening license suspension.
Scammers often ask for small amounts hoping you’ll pay without thinking.
I should’ve made sure I was on the official toll collection website.
Clicking on links in texts or emails is never a good idea.
I should’ve blocked the number and deleted the message immediately.

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When in doubt, don't engage — it may be fraud or a scam. Instead, call us using the number on the back of your card or stop by any Chase branch.

SECURITY CENTER Scam Watch: How to spot fraud and scams

For most of us, the holidays are a time for giving, but for scammers it’s the season for taking.

Be extra careful buying items recommended through social media groups

It was supposed to be the perfect present

I wish I’d known:

Package delivery scams spike during the holidays

A simple text that will never be forgotten

I wish I’d known:

Be aware of the “unpaid toll scam” when you travel

The alert was for a small, past-due bill

I wish I’d known:

Explore the Chase Security Center

We’re always here to help

SECURITY CENTER

Scam Watch: How to spot fraud and scams