Beware of These Holiday Mail Scams
Scammers can be located anywhere in the world and are often difficult to track down due to their use of spoofed caller IDs and other advanced tactics.
Hopefully, the holiday season brings joy with friends and family, generosity, and goodwill. Unfortunately, it also presents a heightened risk of scams. According to a 2022 AARP Fraud Watch Network report, three-quarters of U.S. consumers have encountered or been targeted by holiday-related fraud, including fake charity requests, online shopping scams, and deceptive messages about shipping issues.
Beware of scammers this holiday season.
As the holiday shopping season is in full swing, scammers actively seek opportunities to exploit unsuspecting people. Best Life, a lifestyle magazine, has identified some prevalent mail scams. One such scam is known as “brushing,” where recipients receive unexplained packages at their doorstep containing unordered items. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) explains that these parcels often lack a return address or sender information, except for a potential retailer. Despite appearing as a logistical mistake, these packages are usually dispatched by international third parties aiming to gain verified buyer status by obtaining addresses online.
Another scam highlighted is “smishing,” involving deceptive text messages pretending to be USPS tracking requests or package delivery notifications. These messages, named for their use of SMS text, contain links that could lead to personal information theft under the guise of “address confirmation” or solicit small payments for postage. The origin of these texts isn’t limited to USPS, as all carriers can be targets of such email scams. Typically, recipients receive messages in their inbox claiming a failed delivery attempt or requesting a small payment. The recipient is then asked to click a link, leading to a fraudulent website. The website is designed to steal personal information, passwords, or financial details.
To combat these scams, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides tips for safe gift purchases and donations. They recommend using credit cards for online transactions, as they offer additional protection and benefits, such as return and purchase protection. If unauthorized charges appear, credit cardholders can dispute them. The FTC also advises caution when donating to charities, suggesting thorough research to ensure the legitimacy of the organization before making any contributions. Additionally, if someone pressures you into making a donation over the phone, take the time to verify the charity independently.
Check out the complete list of some of the biggest mail scams here.
Top Holiday Season Stressors: Strategies for a Stress-Free Season
The holiday season is a time for family gatherings and spreading cheer. However, alongside the cheer, various holiday stressors can cast a shadow on the celebrations.
Braving the holiday rush.
The end-of-year holidays bring happiness to many, but the stress of the season can be overwhelming. The responsibilities of entertaining, shopping, traveling, and various other tasks can add extra pressure to an already busy schedule. If you feel stretched too thin, taking a moment to pause is beneficial. If you can, it’s a good idea to plan your menus and think about gift ideas well in advance. Create lists of needed items and allocate a few days to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything before braving the holiday rush.
In recent years, we’ve seen a growing influx of advertisements on television and in magazines depicting holiday feasts and gifts beneath beautifully decorated Christmas trees. This can sometimes lead to overspending as people strive to meet these holiday expectations.
Holiday season stressors.
To avoid financial strain, set a budget and stick to it. While making your gift lists, determine the amount you can comfortably spend on each person and adhere to it. Consider pooling resources to purchase group gifts for friends or draw names from a hat to choose one family member to buy for instead of all of them. Also, think about giving handmade gifts such as baked goods, ornaments, a recipe book, or a photo album. Offering your time, like babysitting for a friend or cleaning out your grandmother’s attic, can also be a thoughtful gift.
On the other hand, this season often brings attention to the absence of family or social connections. If you’re away from your loved ones, consider ways to stay connected, such as email, videos, or video calls. When you feel isolated, look for local holiday concerts or community events to attend. You may also think about spending your time assisting those in need by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food pantry or by distributing gifts to less fortunate children.
Preparing for the holiday season’s stressors can be challenging, but knowing what you might face and how to cope with those feelings is important. Look at the top holiday stressors and find ways to manage them.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel.
A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community.
She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.