Thieves Don't Take a Holiday, Part 2

Well, it's that time of year again! Time for Holiday Cheer, and for crooks to take advantage of people shopping and spending money.

Please refer to the helpful hints your Credit Union's Risk Management team provided last year in the Fraud Prevention Articles and Tips section of the website: http://www.coastalfcu.org/holiday_thieves.htm

In addition, please be aware of another scam that is currently "the rage". Gift Cards from stores and malls are increasingly popular this time of year, given as gifts, or "stocking stuffers". Well, the crooks have found a way to rob you of your gift card balance. If you buy gift cards from a display rack that has various store cards, you may become a victim of theft. Crooks are now jotting down the card numbers in the store and then wait a few days and call to see how much of a balance "THEY" have on the card. Once they find the card is "activated", they then go online and start shopping. In order to help prevent this, you may want to purchase your card from a customer service person, where they do not have the gift cards viewable to the public.

As the holiday season approaches, remember to keep purchases, purses, backpacks and other bags out of view by locking them in your trunk. Criminals know to walk through shopping center parking lots to look for your newly purchased gifts. Also, be sure to keep the receipts separate from the purchased items. Criminals often return the items for cash or a gift card before you ever know they're gone!

Please contact Coastal Federal Credit Union’s Risk Management department at idhelp@coastalfcu.org if you have any concerns.

Have a Joyous Holiday season, and remember to be careful!