(UNDATED) As Wisconsinites dive into holiday shopping and year-end giving, state consumer officials are urging people to slow down and protect themselves from scammers who ramp up their efforts this time of year.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says fraudsters know the holidays are hectic — and they use that distraction to steal money, personal information and even full identities. The agency released a series of warnings this week aimed at helping consumers spot the red flags before they fall victim.
DATCP says one of the biggest holiday pitfalls is the rush for last-minute deals on online marketplaces. Scammers post everything from pets to concert tickets and vacation rentals, hoping eager shoppers will send money upfront. Once payment is made, the seller disappears or the item simply never arrives.
Officials recommend keeping communication within the platform, avoiding upfront payments and meeting sellers in person whenever possible. And for pricey items, like event tickets, they say the safest option is buying directly from official vendors with clear refund policies.
Consumers may also see more bogus messages claiming to be from popular retailers or shipping companies, warning of “problems” with a purchase or delivery. DATCP says these are classic phishing schemes designed to trick shoppers into handing over personal information.
If a message seems suspicious — even if it looks legitimate — the agency urges consumers to delete it and go directly to the retailer’s official website to check their account.
DATCP also warns of sellers who have no intention of shipping anything at all. These scammers rely on restrictive return policies, excuses and delays to avoid giving refunds. Officials say shoppers should research sellers and read return policies carefully before buying.
Gift cards remain a popular holiday purchase — and a popular weapon for fraud. DATCP says no legitimate business or government agency will ever ask someone to pay with a gift card. Consumers should also inspect cards in stores to make sure they haven’t been tampered with.
Beyond money-draining scams, identity theft continues to be a major threat. DATCP says scammers use fake giveaways, surveys, rebate offers, online quizzes and fraudulent marketing messages to gather personal information that can be used to open new accounts or access existing ones.
Just a few pieces of information — such as a date of birth, address or answers to common security questions — can open the door to identity theft. And recovering from it can take months or years.
Officials encourage consumers to question why anyone is requesting their personal information and to share it sparingly. They also recommend placing free fraud alerts or credit freezes with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline is available at 800-422-7128, and more resources — including Spanish-language materials — are online at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov.
