Scammers Target Holiday Shoppers in Columbia: Tips to Protect Your Wallet

Scammers on the Prowl: Protect Your Wallet This Holiday Season in Columbia

With Christmas just around the corner, the holiday shopping frenzy is upon us! In Columbia, South Carolina, shoppers are stepping out in droves, searching for the perfect gifts. But beware—the *Grinch* isn’t the only one lurking in the shadows; scammers are out to take your hard-earned cash as well!

Local Business Owner Sounds the Alarm

Paul Goff, the friendly face behind Salty’s Board Shop, has been helping Columbia’s residents gear up for their winter sports for over 20 years. While he loves seeing customers in his shop, he’s noticed that more and more people are choosing to do their holiday shopping online. As much as he understands the convenience of online shopping, it’s causing some concern.

“This year has been a tough year,” Goff expressed, juggling orders for skateboards and snowboards while also selling trendy apparel brands like Free People. He adds, “It’s rare to see local stores anymore, and it’s just becoming a lot more challenging.” Goff’s sentiments are shared by many local businesses that are trying to survive in this changing retail landscape.

The Rise of Online Shopping Brings New Risks

But the shift toward online shopping isn’t just a hurdle for local folks; it’s also *setting the stage* for a slew of crafty scams aimed at unsuspecting holiday shoppers. Chris Hadley, the head honcho of the Better Business Bureau, sheds light on one of the sneakiest scams this season: phishing text messages.

“One of the big holiday scams we see are the fake text delivery messages,” Hadley warns. Picture this: you receive a text message that says, “Dear customer, your order is on the way,” with a link to click. Sounds harmless, right? Sadly, Hadley advises that if you click that link, you might end up *handing over your personal information* to scammers.

Many people might think they’re being careful, but even clever shoppers can be caught off guard. Recently, a local reporter received one of these fraudulent texts, which just goes to show that these scams can target anyone, even the most vigilant of us.

Social Media: A Double-Edged Sword

In addition to text scams, misleading advertising on social media is a growing problem that shouldn’t be ignored. “Facebook is great for sharing pictures with your grandkids,” Hadley chuckles, “but when shopping through ads, you might end up with fake products or, worse, nothing at all!”

Hadley’s advice is simple but crucial: “We’re really urging folks just to delete those messages [and ads] and not click on them. Always verify directly with the company you ordered from.”

Shop Local, Stay Safe

Wondering how to keep your wallet—and identity—safe this holiday season? Goff has a warm recommendation: **support local businesses**. “Shopping locally helps tremendously not only the store but the staff that work there too,” he pointed out. Aside from helping your neighbors, shopping local also means that you’re less likely to fall victim to scams you might encounter online.

This holiday season, let’s all be a bit more cautious and keep our eyes peeled. By embracing the spirit of giving while also supporting our local businesses, we can ensure that the only Grinch we encounter is the one in the movie, not the one trying to steal our money!

So as you head out to shop or browse online, keep these tips in mind to make your holiday season merry and bright—without the dark cloud of scams hanging overhead!