DENVER -- The holidays are supposed to be a time for spreading cheer and good will toward others. But unfortunately, this is also a popular time for scams. That's why the Colorado Attorney General's office has put out a holiday guide with tips.
One type of scam common around the holidays is charity fraud. Before you donate money to a charity this year, you can check with the Secretary of State's office to make sure the charity is properly registered. The Better Business Bureau also has information on charities.
When it comes to online shopping, avoid unsolicited emails, text messages and pop-up ads. And be suspicious of any website offering a deal that seems too good to be true. Attorney General Cythia Coffman also warns you should double check to make sure a retailer's website is the real thing.
"When you do a search on on the internet for a retailer, you want to be certain you have the actual retailer and not someone spoofing it, because sometimes you could have a URL that's very close but not exactly the retailer that you want," says Coffman.
When shopping in a physical store or mall, always be aware of your surroundings. If you have to walk back to your car in a dark parking lot, you can ask store security to accompany you. If possible, don't carry too much cash. A credit card is safer, because if your credit card is used improperly, the federal government limits your liability to 50 dollars.
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