SPRINGFIELD, Mo. ~ As the holiday season approaches, the Springfield Police Department is urging the community to be on high alert for seasonal scams. Lt. Jennifer Charleston, commander of the Property Crimes Section, emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and taking precautions to avoid falling victim to these scams.

According to Lt. Charleston, scammers take advantage of the increased spending, busy schedules, and generosity during this time of year to trick unsuspecting victims into giving away money or personal information. The most common holiday scams include fake online stores, package-delivery phishing messages, gift card payment demands, charity fraud, and misleading social media ads.

To protect themselves from these scams, the public should be aware of red flags such as unsolicited calls, texts or emails claiming a package is delayed or needs address verification. They should also be cautious of social media ads offering steep discounts on brand-name items or directing them to unfamiliar websites. Charity requests that pressure for immediate donations or only accept gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency should also raise suspicion.

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Romance or friendship scams are also prevalent during this time and often involve sudden requests for money. Additionally, individuals should be wary of gift card payment demands from someone claiming to be law enforcement, a utility company or a government agency.

To stay safe this holiday season, it is recommended to shop only through trusted retailers and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or text messages. It is also important to research charities and businesses through reputable sites like the Better Business Bureau. Lastly, individuals should never share personal or banking information through email, text or social media as legitimate businesses and government agencies will not ask for payment via gift card or cryptocurrency.

If anyone believes they have been targeted by a scam, they are encouraged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. In cases where individuals have been financially impacted by a scam, they should file a report with the Springfield Police Department by calling 417-864-1810.

For more information on the top holiday scams, the Better Business Bureau is a reliable resource. By staying informed and taking necessary precautions, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to these seasonal scams.

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