Tips for Avoiding Holiday Scams

Soundbite and Script

December 8, 2011

ANNOUNCER:

IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES LIKE THESE, WE ARE MORE VULNERABLE THAN EVER TO FRAUDULENT SCHEMES THAT PROMISE “SUDDEN RICHES” OR INCREDABLE BARGAINS.

SCAMMERS ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO GET THEIR VICTIM’S MONEY AND THEY DON’T TAKE THE HOLIDAYS OFF. 

SUSAN GRANT AT CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA WARNS ABOUT THE LATEST TACTIC SOME SCAMMERS ARE USING.

SUSAN GRANT:

“Consumers can use a product called moneypak to transfer money to prepaid cards and make transactions with approved companies. Now some fraudsters are luring unsuspecting customers to send payment through moneypak for taxes on the millions they have supposedly won in a sweepstakes or lottery or for what looks like a great deal they saw on-line. Remember, a moneypak number is the same as cash. If someone who isn’t an approved moneypak partner wants your moneypak number, it’s a scam.”

ANNOUNCER:

DON’T LOSE YOUR HARD-EARNED CASH TO FRAUD. 

WATCH A VIDEO TO HELP YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND THE RISK AND READ THE TIPS ABOUT AVOIDING THIS SCAM AT CONSUMER FED.ORG/FRAUD.   I’M LEE SHEPHARD.