Scams

It wouldn’t be an American holiday without con artists trying to scam innocent online shoppers.

This holiday season, keep on the lookout for warning signs that might indicate you’re being targeted by a scammer.   

The most prominent scam this year is the fake package delivery email, according to Caitlin Driscoll, public relations director for the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania. These emails claim they contain links to package tracking information, but are really out to break into your computer.

Four individuals face charges in Pennsylvania for allegedly preying on elderly victims concern for loved ones by defrauding them out of thousands of dollars.  PA Attorney General Kathleen Kane has referred to the case  to as the “Grandparent Scam.”

Kane announced the charges Thursday, following a nine month investigation that discovered 11 victims with an average age of 79 who live as far away as Texas, Washington, and California.

According to the latest numbers from the Federal Trade Commission, 26 percent of all securities fraud is perpetrated against seniors, but seniors only represent 14 percent of the nation’s population.

While most people have seen spam reading— “the IRS doesn’t want you to know about this!” or “So new, your tax professional doesn’t even know about it!”— the Internal Revenue Service is urging people not to open those emails or follow those links.

IRS spokeswoman Jennifer Jenkins said, with tax season upon us, people can easily be scammed or have their identities stolen.

Jenkins said scammers get to people by sending them emails or messages through social media pretending to be from the IRS. She said they then gain access to sensitive information to steal an identity.