Beware of Holiday Scams

Public Service Announcement

 

 

FROM: The Pittsville Police Department
TO: All Pittsville Community Members
SUBJECT: Holiday Season Scam Awareness & Prevention

 

As the holiday season approaches, the Pittsville Police Department wants to ensure that all of our residents enjoy a safe, happy, and secure time of year. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when scammers and cybercriminals ramp up their efforts to target unsuspecting individuals through sophisticated phone, text, and email schemes.

We urge the community to remain highly vigilant against the following common seasonal scams:

 

The Red Flag: Demands for Gift Cards or Cryptocurrency

The absolute biggest warning sign of a scam is any caller, text, or email demanding immediate payment via gift cards, prepaid debit cards, Zelle, CashApp, or cryptocurrency (such as Bitcoin).

Remember: No legitimate business, utility company, or government agency—including the IRS, court officials, or the Pittsville Police Department—will EVER call you to demand payment over the phone, nor will they ever ask you to pay using gift cards or digital currencies. If someone tells you to go to a local store, buy a gift card, and read them the numbers to resolve an issue, hang up immediately. It is a scam.

 

Other Prevalent Holiday Scams to Watch For

Impersonation of Law Enforcement or Government: Fraudsters are calling residents claiming there is an active warrant for your arrest, a missed jury duty summons, or unpaid taxes. They create a false sense of urgency and threaten jail time if you do not pay immediately.

Fake Order Deliveries & Shipping Notifications: You may receive emails or text messages claiming a package from Amazon, FedEx, or UPS cannot be delivered until you click a link to “verify your information” or pay a small fee. Clicking these links can install malicious tracking software on your device.

“Too Good to Be True” Holiday Deals: Be suspicious of lookalike websites or social media ads offering high-demand holiday items or puppy adoptions at deep discounts. These are designed to steal your credit card data.

Fake Charities: Scammers take advantage of holiday generosity by creating bogus charity campaigns that look like legitimate non-profits.

 

 

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

Slow Down: Scammers rely on panic and urgency to force you into making quick decisions. Take a breath and evaluate the situation calmly.

Don’t Trust Caller ID: Criminals use technology to “spoof” phone numbers, making it look like the call is coming from a local police department, bank, or government agency.

Verify Independently: If a company or agency claims you owe money or have an account issue, hang up. Look up their official phone number independently (on a utility bill or official website) and call them back directly.

Keep Personal Information Private: Never give out your Social Security number, banking details, or account passwords to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Please share this warning with your neighbors, friends, and family, especially senior citizens who are frequently targeted by these aggressive criminals.

 

Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you have been targeted by a scammer or have accidentally lost money to fraud, please contact Local Law Enforcement non-emergency line immediately to file a report. You should also report the incident directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)  (opens in a new tab).

 

Stay alert, stay safe, and let’s work together to protect our community this holiday season!