Life Kit: Money Watch out for these holiday scams
8 snips
Dec 11, 2025 
Amy Nofziger, Senior Director of Fraud Victim Support at AARP's Fraud Watch Network, shares essential tips to avoid holiday scams. She highlights the dangers of fake online stores and suggests using credit cards for better protection. Learn how gift card theft occurs and the importance of researching charities before donating. Amy warns against phishing scams in fake shipping alerts and provides strategies to identify them. If you fall victim, she advises quick reporting to authorities and financial institutions. Stay safe this holiday season!
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Verify New Online Sellers
- Before buying from an unfamiliar online seller, search the company name plus words like "scam" or "complaint."
- Use other shoppers' reviews and the vendor's web presence to verify legitimacy before you click buy.
Prefer Credit Cards For Protection
- Always use a credit card for online purchases because it offers stronger consumer protections.
- Avoid debit cards, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or crypto ATM payments for shopping to reduce fraud risk.
Fake Certification On A Water Filter
- Amy Nofziger bought a water filter that showed a fake NSF certificate on its glossy website.
- She later confirmed with NSF that the certificate was fraudulent after checking their database.