AARP Alabama offers tips to help avoid holiday-season fraud

A new study from “A-A-R-P’s Fraud-Watch Network” finds that many holiday-shoppers—including throughout Alabama—might be opening themselves up to risk. Jamie Harding is with “A-A-R-P Alabama”… “The study finds that a full three-fourths of Alabamians will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards are safer to use online. And, almost two-thirds of Alabamians plan to purchase gift-cards, with the majority buying them off the rack—even though that’s a known target for scammers.” And, because scammers use a number of tactics, Harding offers these additional tips… “Do research on charities before donating. Decline requests for your login-credentials—even if they’re supposedly from a customer-support staffer. Be wary of ads that tout unbelievable deals. Avoid clicking on ads—since they can link to a fake site, or cause you to download malicious software. And, ask delivery-companies to leave packages in an obscure place, instead of outside your front door—or, if that’s not possible, make arrangements to pick them up yourself.” To learn more about staying safe from holiday-scams, visit “a-a-r-p”-dot-org-slash-“fraud-watch-network”—or call 1-877-908-3360.