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Shipping Is The Latest Type Of Scam For The Holidays

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The scammers are getting more clever and their deceptions more powerful as consumers begin their holiday shopping.

Wisconsin Division of Consumer Protection Director Michelle Reinen says the next fraud involves shipping. It starts with an email that looks legitimate. The scam artists impersonate legitimate shipping companies. The email will say unless you confirm information with them there will be a delay or the product will be returned.

She says it is easy to confuse the scam from a legitmate deal...

 "...Consumers should watch these emails closely. Watch for poor spelling and grammar errors. Be leery of the sender address. Often the 'from' line will have a fake email address that won't tie back to the company it says it's from. Don't verify information and also pay attention to the fact that these emails are very vague, who the product is coming from or what the product to be delivered is...."

Reinen says don't give out confidential information unless you are sure of the sender. She says a number of charity scams also pop up during the giving season. She says scammers use high-pressure tactics to get money through fake charities.

Reinen says avoid social media posts that offer free vouchers or gift cards which lead to online surveys that steal personal information. For online shoppers, the recommendation is to upgrade your device's operating system and anti-virus software.

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