Don’t Get Scammed This Season: Holiday Shopping Fraud Tips

The holiday season is a time many of us look forward to—seeing family, sharing meals, and
picking up a few gifts for the people we love. But we also know the truth: money is tight, and
every dollar matters. When you shop, you’re spending carefully and want to make sure your
hard-earned money goes exactly where you want it to.

Unfortunately, the holidays are also when scammers get extra busy. They know people are
stressed, rushing, and looking for deals. They count on that. So before you head out to
shop—or fill up your online cart—we want to share some simple, helpful tips to protect your
money this season.

At CACL, our purpose has always been the same: Helping You When Others Won’t. Keeping you safe financially is a big part of that.

1. Watch Out for “Too Good to Be True” Deals

Everyone loves a bargain, especially around the holidays. But if a deal makes you pause and
say, “Wow, that’s unreal,” then it probably is.
Red flags to look for:
🚩Prices that seem way lower than everywhere else.
🚩Websites you’ve never heard of.
🚩Social media sellers with no reviews or only brand-new pages.
🚩A seller asking you to pay with gift cards, Cash App, or Venmo instead of a secure
checkout.
Tip: If you’re unsure, take one minute and Google the business name with the word “scam.” You
might be surprised what comes up.

2. Be Careful on Social Media Marketplaces

Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local buy/sell groups get very active during the holidays. But they’re also full of fake listings. Here’s what scammers often do:
● Post a high-priced item (like a game console or iPhone) for a super low price.
● Tell you someone else is “interested” to make you rush.
● Ask for a deposit to “hold” the item.
● Disappear as soon as you send the money.
If you’re buying from someone online, remember:
● Never pay ahead of time.
● Only meet in safe, public places.
● If possible, bring a friend.
● If something feels off, trust your gut.
Your safety is always more important than the deal.

3. Keep Your Debit Card Safe — It’s Your Money

Many of our members rely on their debit card for everything, which means protecting it is huge.
A few simple reminders:
✅ Don’t let anyone “walk away” with your card ( at a restaurant, store )
✅ Never send your card number through text or social media
✅ When shopping online, only enter your card on secure pages (look for “https” at the start
of the address)
✅ If a store’s card machine “isn’t working” and they ask to manually type your card number,
say no.
These small steps can protect you from big headaches later.

4. Be Cautious With Your Phone and Email

Scammers love sending messages that look real but are fake.
Common holiday scams include:
● “Your package is delayed—click here.”
● “Your bank account is locked.”
● “You won a gift card.”
● Fake emails that look like Amazon, Walmart, or UPS.
Remember:
Suppose something tells you to “click the link,” please don’t. Go directly to the website instead.

5. If Something Doesn’t Look Right, Call Us Right Away

This is the most important part of protecting your money. When fraud happens, time is everything. Reporting quickly can make the difference between:
Getting your money back OR Losing money before the scammer is stopped.
Once your card is blocked, we encourage you to call us immediately. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Right away. 

The quicker you tell us:

✅ The faster we can ensure that your card is shut down and help dispute charges.
✅ The less money you may lose.
✅ The better chance we have of protecting the rest of your account.

Please never feel embarrassed. It happens to good people every single day. You’re not bothering us—we want you to call : 570. 628. 2400. 

We know that you work hard for every dollar you earn. Protecting that money is important—not
just during the holidays, but all year long. With a bit of extra caution, a few simple habits, and
quick reporting if something goes wrong, you can shop with confidence and enjoy the season
without the fear of fraud.
We hope you and your family have a safe, happy holiday season. And remember—if you need
us, we’re only a phone call away.