The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is urging people to pay close attention to the emails they get, especially if they did some online shopping.
Email phishing with fake shipping notices is one of many new scams out there.
Karla Davis with the BBB says scammers have been sending out emails pretending to be from Amazon or Fed Ex
“They’re saying that something is wrong with your order,” she noted. “For example, they’re unable to process your payment, or they need you to resubmit your credit card details, or they need to verify your address and your contact information.”
“This is a perfect way to get you to share your private details.”
The BBB is urging people to not respond to those emails and to contact the retailer directly if you have any questions.
Davis adds just last year, $13-million was lost to online scammers, who target peak shopping periods.
“Black Friday and Cyber Monday, that’s the peak shopping period,” Davis said. “Most people think that’s the end of it, but it’s really not. It’s really just begun.”
“You have people preparing for Christmas, and those grabbing Boxing Day deals and they’re planning parties and celebrations for New Years.”
She notes scammers are big opportunists, and people should expect them to be hard at work during the peak shopping periods.