The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte, North Carolina, has issued a warning to the public about an expected increase in cyber scams during the holiday season. This alert is particularly directed at online consumers, with older adults being highlighted as a vulnerable group.
U.S. Attorney Dena J. King emphasized the need for vigilance during this time: “The holiday season is a time for joy and generosity, but it’s also a time when cybercriminals seek to target unsuspecting consumers and exploit increased online activity,” she said. She advised consumers to be cautious whether they are shopping, donating to charity, or looking for seasonal employment.
According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report (IC3), North Carolina ranked among the top 15 states for online financial fraud, with $12.5 billion reported in losses last year. Common scams include fake online stores offering deep discounts on high-demand items, missed delivery notifications leading to phishing sites, and fraudulent gift card sales.
Other prevalent scams involve fake charities and phishing emails or texts designed to steal personal information by mimicking legitimate communications from banks or credit card companies. Seasonal job scams also rise during this period, often requiring upfront payments or personal information under false pretenses.
Older adults are especially susceptible to these schemes throughout the year. The FBI's report indicates that individuals aged 60 and above reported losing $3.4 billion due to financial fraud in 2023 alone.
To combat this issue, the U.S. Attorney’s Office co-hosted a scam alert seminar in Charlotte aimed at educating older adults about financial fraud risks through interactive activities like "Fraud Bingo." U.S. Attorney King stated: “Online scams targeting the elderly remain a growing concern in North Carolina.”
The office provided several examples of scams targeting seniors such as lottery phone scams, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, IRS impostor scams, and sham business opportunities.
Tips were offered to help avoid falling victim to these financial traps: refrain from sharing personal information with strangers; do not pay fees for prizes; ignore phishing attempts; and consult trusted friends or family before making decisions involving money transfers or investments.
For those who suspect elder fraud or believe they have fallen victim to an online scam, authorities encourage reporting incidents via the Justice Department’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) or filing a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.