🎄 The Season of Giving… and Scammers Taking

The holidays bring family, food, and the usual madness of online shopping. But they also bring something else —
an open season for scammers. Every year around Christmas, thousands of seniors are tricked into giving away
money, passwords, or personal details.

You’ve probably seen them:

• Emails that look like they’re from Amazon saying, “Your package couldn’t be delivered.”
• Calls pretending to be from your bank, the IRS, or even your grandkids.
• Fake charities tugging at your heartstrings.

If you’re not careful, one wrong click can turn your holiday cheer into a nightmare.

🛑 The 3 Biggest Scams Right Now

1. Fake Delivery Notices
   You get an email or text saying there’s a problem with your Christmas package. It looks real — company logos, tracking numbers, all of it. But that link? It’s a trap. It installs malware or takes you to a fake site that steals your info.
   Protect yourself: Never click links in messages you didn’t expect. Instead, open your browser and go directly to the store’s real website.
2. Gift Card & Charity Scams
   Scammers love asking for payment in gift cards because once you buy them, the money’s gone for good. They might claim it’s for a grandchild in trouble, a pastor’s fundraiser, or a fake veteran charity.
   Protect yourself: If anyone asks for payment via gift card, Zelle, or Venmo, stop right there. No real business or charity will ever ask for that.
3. Tech Support Pop-Ups
   “Warning: Your computer is infected! Call Microsoft immediately!” — sound familiar? Those alerts aren’t real. The moment you call, the scammer pretends to be tech support and asks for remote access or credit card info.
   Protect yourself: Close the pop-up. Restart your computer. If you’re still unsure, call a trusted local technician — not the number on the screen.

🎁 Simple Rules to Stay Safe

• Trust your gut. If it feels off, it probably is.
• Never share passwords or codes over the phone, email, or text.
• Use strong passwords and a notebook (or password manager) to keep track.
• Keep your devices updated. Out-of-date computers and phones are easier to hack.
• Install antivirus and enable automatic scans.
• Ask for help — if something online confuses you, call someone you trust before you click.

👨‍💻 Need a Local Expert?

If you or a loved one need help setting up stronger security, cleaning up old devices, or learning safe online habits, SpeakGeek PCs can help.

SpeakGeek PCs
Las Vegas • Henderson • Mesquite • Pahrump
📞 702-472-8229
📧 service@speakgeekpcs.com
🌐 https://speakgeekpcs.com

We keep your data safe — so you can focus on what really matters this Christmas: family, laughter, and peace of mind.

Get Help Today