Full Notification

The Northfield Twp Police Department warn of holiday scams:

Fake shipping Notifications (emails) - Keep track of all on line orders, do not open an attachment from a company if you did not place an order. Links attached to these “fake” shipping notifications can be used to download malware on your computer and steal personal information.

E-Cards- can be used to steal data; legitimate E-cards do not require the recipient provide personal information to open the card - hover over the senders name to confirm the sender.

Fake sites – advertised on social media - Always check sites before making a purchase- does the retailer have an address? Does the retailer allow phone contact? Read reviews from others who have shopped the retailer. Know who you are buying from.

Social Media gift exchanges – may ask you to purchase 1 gift in order to receive 36, this is a pyramid scheme and is against the law.

Fake apps- new phone shopping apps spring up during the holiday season which may provide an opportunity for scammers to steal your personal information. Only download apps from an official app store, not a third party and if the app requests too many permissions, do not download it. It may be accessing private information stored in your phone.

Payment with Prepaid card – Do not pay with prepaid debit, gift cards or wire transfers. These payments cannot be traced and neither can any money lost be recovered. Use a credit (not debit) card online and only shop on secure websites. Look for https in the address (the extra “s” is for “secure”) and for a lock symbol.

Free gift cards - Pop-up ads or email offering free gift cards are often just a ploy to get your personal information that can later be used for identity theft. Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails.

Phony Charities - During this season of holiday giving, be cautious of your charitable offerings – Know your charity and/or before donating review the charity at http://www.give.org

During the rush of this holiday season – be mindful of your phone. Do not set it down and when not in use, keep it secured on your person. Thieves will steal your property and your information in an instant.

Wishing everyone a Happy, Safe Holiday Season!