The holidays bring cheer, generosity, and connection with family and friends. This time of year also brings out scammers eager to exploit the season’s busyness and goodwill, and they’re using increasingly sophisticated tactics to exploit people. The following fictional stories represent common holiday scams that affect individuals like you, our Chartway members. They’re meant to help you recognize potential risks and protect yourself.
AI-Powered Deepfakes: When Reality Isn’t Real
Sandra’s Story: Sandra, a Chartway member who loves holiday shopping, was scrolling through social media when she saw a video of a celebrity she admired promoting an unbelievable giveaway: “Click the link to claim a $1,000 gift card!” Excited, she followed the instructions and entered her personal details. Soon after, her inbox was flooded with phishing emails, and she realized her information had been stolen.
What Happened Next? Sandra called Chartway to report her concerns. Our fraud team helped her update her passwords, set up multi-factor authentication (MFA), and secure her accounts to prevent further misuse.
How You Can Protect Yourself:
- Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, even if they appear to come from a trusted source.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information online.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all your accounts for an extra layer of security.
Quishing, Smishing, & Vishing: Phishers on Every Line
Mary’s Story: Mary, a longtime Chartway member, was eagerly awaiting a package for her niece’s holiday gift. One afternoon, she received an email with a QR code labeled, “Your shipment is delayed—scan for details.” Thinking it was from a delivery service, Mary scanned the code and entered her login details. Later that evening, she noticed suspicious charges on her credit card.
What Happened Next? Mary contacted Chartway’s Member Solutions Center as soon as she realized what happened. We helped her secure her account, block the fraudulent charges, and report the scam. Unfortunately, her stolen credentials were used to make multiple unauthorized purchases before she caught it.
How You Can Protect Yourself:
- Verify suspicious emails, texts, or QR codes by contacting the company directly through official channels.
- Avoid clicking links or scanning codes from unsolicited sources.
- Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity.
Gift Card Scams: A Holiday Favorite (for Fraudsters)
James’ Story: When James, a Chartway member for over 20 years, received a panicked call from someone claiming to be his grandson, he didn’t think twice. The caller said he’d been arrested and needed $500 in gift cards to post bail. Rushing to help, James bought the gift cards and shared the codes over the phone. Later, he learned his grandson was safe and that the call was a scam.
What Happened Next? James visited his local Chartway branch to ask for help. While gift card payments are untraceable, our team worked with him to enhance the security of his accounts and report the scam to authorities.
How You Can Protect Yourself:
- Legitimate organizations don’t request payment with gift cards.
- Be cautious of urgent, emotional pleas for help. Verify the caller’s identity through a trusted source before taking action.
- If you’re unsure, call us—we’re here to guide you.
Social Media Scams: A Not-So-Friendly Feed
Elena’s Story: Elena, a Chartway member who frequently shops online, found what seemed like the perfect gift for her brother—a gaming console at half price on Facebook Marketplace. The seller insisted on payment via a peer-to-peer app before shipping. Elena sent the money but never received the item.
What Happened Next? After realizing she’d been scammed, Elena contacted Chartway to ensure her accounts were secure. While her Marketplace payment couldn’t be reversed, we advised her on how to protect herself in future transactions.
How You Can Protect Yourself:
- Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
- Only purchase from verified sellers on platforms with buyer protections.
- Use secure payment methods like credit cards, which offer fraud protection.
TSA PreCheck Scams: Tricking Holiday Travelers
Sam’s Story: Planning to visit family, Sam, a Chartway member, was thrilled when he saw an ad for “Instant TSA PreCheck Approval” online. He paid the $149 fee, thinking he’d skip long security lines. Weeks later, Sam received no confirmation—and realized the website was a scam.
What Happened Next? Sam reported the scam to Chartway, and while we couldn’t recover his payment, we flagged his accounts for any unusual activity and provided tips for safer online transactions.
How You Can Protect Yourself:
- Apply for TSA PreCheck only through the official TSA website at www.tsa.gov.
- Remember, TSA PreCheck requires an in-person appointment at an enrollment center.
- Be cautious of unsolicited ads offering “instant approval” for a fee.
Together, We Can Outsmart Scammers
While scammers are constantly evolving their tactics, we work diligently to safeguard your accounts with our advanced fraud detection tools. You have a role to play too:
- Pause and Verify: Double-check any suspicious messages, calls, or offers.
- Use Strong Security Measures: Enable multi-factor authentication and shop only on secure websites.
- Monitor Your Accounts: Use Chartway’s online tools to track your transactions and set up alerts for unusual activity.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a scam, contact Chartway immediately.
Let’s work together to ensure this holiday season is filled with joy and peace of mind. Happy Holidays from all of us at Chartway!