Homeland Security Investigations warns of holiday scams targeting grandparents, vulnerable groups

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has issued a warning for ongoing phone scams during the holiday season.

Scammers are particularly targeting seniors and other vulnerable groups, including people who may be isolated, are struggling financially or are unaware of common scam tactics.

Here are the types of phone scams HSI said it is seeing right now:

• Grandparent scams: Scammers pose as grandchildren in distress, asking for immediate financial help.
• Charity scams: Scammers pretend to represent a charitable organization, soliciting donations.
• Tech support scams: Scammers claim to be tech support agents, convincing seniors to grant access to their computers or pay for fake services.
• Banking phone scam: Scammers pose as banking officials to solicit for loans and other banking business. Be cautious when you receive text messages from users claiming to be banks asking for consumers to call in to obtain banking loans and or free money to open up account.
• Government agency scam: Scammers portray themselves as law enforcement agencies. For example, they may send text scams pretending to be a delivery service or U.S. Customs with a package being held.

“It’s crucial for families to talk to their loved ones about these types of scams and encourage them to report any suspicious activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, with HSI San Antonio.

Here are some ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones against scammers:

• Don’t share personal information: Don’t share personal or financial information via phone, text or email.
• Secure your deliveries: Use package lockers, delivery instructions, or neighbor assistance to avoid unattended parcels.
• Stay alert online: Check URLs carefully before clicking, avoid deals that seem “too good to be true,” and use two-factor authentication for online accounts.
• Verify caller’s identity: Hang up and contact the organization or family member directly using a known number.
• Be skeptical of urgent requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to prompt quick decisions. Take your time and verify the information.
• Report suspicious activity: If you receive a suspicious call, report it to HSI or local authorities immediately.

“Together, we can protect our seniors and ensure they have a safe and joyful holiday season,” Larrabee said.

To report a scam, call the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) 323-8603. You can also file a complaint online through the DHS OIG website.

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