AARP Mississippi 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 Mississippi—might be opening themselves up to risk. Kimberly L- Campbell is “A-A-R-P Mississippi’s” state-director… “The study finds that two-thirds of Americans will use their debit-cards—even though credit-cards and digital wallets are safer to use online. Roughly two-thirds also 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, Campbell 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; that’s a big reason for keeping your operating-systems and antivirus-protections up-to-date. 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.