Scam-Proof Your Holidays: Essential Safety Tips

In this special episode of "Let's Talk About Scams," host Joyce Petrowski, founder of Rose Resources Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly, delves into the crucial topic of holiday scams. With the increase in online shopping and charitable donations during the festive season, Joyce provides invaluable advice on how to stay vigilant and protect yourself from various scams. From understanding the tricks scammers use on websites to tips on secure online payments and the importance of verifying charities, this episode is packed with practical information. Joyce also covers the risks associated with gift card purchases and the significance of safeguarding your personal identifiable information. The episode serves as an essential guide to enjoying a safe holiday season. Key Episode Takeaways

• Online Shopping Safety: Verify website authenticity and ensure secure payment portals.
• Charity Scams: Use tax ID numbers for charity verification and be cautious of impersonators.
• Gift Card Precautions: Check for exposed barcodes and purchase from reputable sources.
• Phishing Email Awareness: Avoid clicking on links from unknown sources and verify through official websites.
• Personal Information Security: Regularly update passwords and use multi-factor authentication.
• Credit Freeze Benefits: Protects against identity theft and fraudulent credit activities.

• Rose Resources Outreach Website: www.RoseAdvocacy.org
• IRS Charity Verification: www.irs.gov
• Charity Navigator: www.charitynavigator.org