DON’T GET SCAMMED

12 things to help spot scams

On the fifth day of Christmas, someone tried to burn me – with FIVE FREE GIFT CARDS, four calls as grandkids, three travel scams, two lookalike websites and a phony e-charity.

There are several new scams every year and it's difficult to keep up. You can search the Federal Trade Commission's scam alerts at ftc.gov. Here are a few things to look for:

1. Never send money to someone you have never met face-to-face.

2. Don't click on links or open attachments in unsolicited email. Do not open an attachment that ends in “.exe” – an execute command.

3. Just because a website or email looks official (official seals, fonts and other details) does not mean that it is. Even caller ID can be faked.

4. Don't buy online unless the transaction is secure. Make sure the website has “https” in the URL (the extra s is for “secure”) and a small lock icon on the address bar.

5. Be cautious when dealing with anyone you've met online.

6. Never share personally identifiable information with someone who has contacted you unsolicited.

7. Don't be pressured to act instantly.

8. Use secure, traceable payment methods when making payments for goods, services and taxes.

9. Work with businesses that have proper identification, licensing and insurance.

10. Be cautious about what you share on social media.

11. Watch out for temporary holiday jobs that require you to pay for equipment upfront.

12. Avoid unusual forms of payments such as prepaid debit or gift cards, wire transfers and third parties.

Sources: National Safety Council, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mission Hospital, FBI, Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission