Don’t Get Spooked by One of These Scams This Halloween!

That cackling, long-haired witch might send your heart fluttering with fear, but these Halloween scams are even spookier! Here’s what to know about these common Halloween scams.

1. The Joker

Desperate for money before the holiday shopping season hits? Do you need to make a bit of extra cash? Scammers know this all too well and target consumers with messages promising loads of money for very little work. All you need to do is send a small amount of money to a designated digital address via CashApp, Venmo, or another money transfer app, and your money will be doubled, tripled, or more.

Don’t fall for the tricks! Much like another variation of the money-flipping scam, they’ll ask you to share your account information so they can withdraw the money and then “treat” you with the cash you’ve earned. It’s like getting free money – which, of course, doesn’t exist.

Spot a money-flipping scam through the amateur writing and too-good-to-be-true promises. Any request for you to share your banking information is another dead giveaway.

2. Night of the Living Dead

This scam can be pulled off at any time of year, but it takes on an extra level of spookiness when ghosts, ghouls, and graveyards fill the neighborhoods. In the deceased identity theft scam, scammers steal the identity of someone who is no longer living. They may empty the decedent’s accounts, pass off their credit history as their own and use their Social Security number to collect benefits, apply for a job, and more.

Protect a loved one’s identity from being stolen after their passing on by taking steps to lock down their social media accounts, credit report, and Social Security number. Keep an eye on their accounts until their assets have been lawfully divided.

3. Trick or Treat

You found the perfect costume online and for a bargain price! You happily pay up, complete your order and wait for the package to arrive. And wait. And wait. Unfortunately, you were tricked by a deal too good to be true.

In a variation of the online order scam, the package arrives on your doorstep as promised but has little resemblance to the way it looked online. The quality may be lacking, the size and color entirely off, or essential components missing. You may try to find a customer service line, but there’s no working number listed. If you try to return the purchase, but a street address for returns will be more elusive than the invisible man.

Don’t get tricked! Only order from reputable sites that display complete contact information for the company. Ignore all offers that scream “Hot Deal! Act Now!” and feature prices that are way below the average sale price. Shop with caution, and you’ll only walk away with treats.

4. Hitman

There’s a hitman at your door – and no, this is no disguise!

In the hitman scam, scammers pretend to be assassins who are hired to take out a target. They’ll send the target extortion emails and messages, promising to spare their life for just a few thousand dollars. Often, they’ll even drop the name of the friend or family member who allegedly put a hit on the target’s life.

Don’t get scammed! If you receive an extortion message of any kind, contact local law enforcement. Never share money with an unverified contact. And finally, if the scammer shared the name of the person who allegedly hired them, reach out to this person to verify that no, they didn’t put a hit on your life.

It’s a frightening world out there, but you can protect your money and your information by being aware of these scams and taking precautions.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

---

This article is for educational purposes only. WeStreet Credit Union makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or specific suitability of any information presented. Information provided should not be relied on or interpreted as legal, tax or financial advice. Nor does the information directly relate to our products and/or services terms and conditions.