Be Wary of Online & Travel Holiday Scams

During the Christmas season common activities include exchanging gifts and traveling to spend the holiday with family and friends. Exchanging gifts usually involves family and friends, but when asked to participate online you should be very cautious. Michelle Reinen (rye-nun) is with The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

The scammers, who contact you, are not spreading holiday cheer like Santa, but are being a Grinch by trying to steal your personal information.

Reinen suggests how to avoid an online gift exchange scam.

When traveling, for the holidays, many travel by air to get to their destination. To avoid the wait at an airport travelers find ways to speed things up, which could involve scammers.

There are red flags, that Michelle Reinen says can be spotted, to avoid being scammed.

If you have been a victim of these scams you can contact DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline by phone at 1-800-422-7128 or by email at DATCP Hotline at wi dot gov.