MARION COUNTY, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—The holiday season brings plenty of excitement, from finding the perfect gifts to waiting for packages to arrive at your doorstep. Unfortunately, it also creates opportunities for scammers looking to take advantage of busy shoppers. 

Picture this: You’ve ordered a few gifts online, and your phone buzzes with a text message. 

“Your package could not be delivered. Please update your shipping address immediately.” 

You’re expecting a delivery, so the message seems reasonable. There’s even a link to fix the problem. But clicking that link could put your personal information and your money at risk. 

At Pillar Credit Union, we’re committed to helping our members protect the money they work hard to earn. And during the holidays, a little extra caution can make a big difference. 

Holiday scams are getting harder to recognize 

Scammers have become increasingly convincing. They can create websites that look nearly identical to legitimate retailers, send messages that appear to come from trusted delivery companies, and even disguise phone numbers to make calls look like they’re coming from your financial institution. 

Some of the most common holiday scams include: 

  • Fake delivery notifications: Texts or emails claiming a package is delayed, an address needs updating, or a small delivery fee is required. 
  • Too-good-to-be-true deals: Social media advertisements offering popular gifts at unbelievably low prices, leading to fake shopping websites. 
  • Fraudulent account alerts: Messages claiming there’s suspicious activity on your debit card or bank account and urging you to click a link or call a number immediately. 
  • Fake order confirmations: Emails about purchases you never made, designed to get you to call a fraudulent customer service number or provide account information. 

The good news is that a few simple habits can help you avoid becoming a victim. 

Five ways to protect yourself this holiday season 

1. Think before you click. 

If you receive an unexpected message about a delivery, don’t use the link provided. Instead, visit the retailer’s website or the delivery company’s official app to check your order status. A legitimate-looking logo or familiar company name doesn’t guarantee a message is real. 

2. Be suspicious of urgency. 

Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. Messages threatening to cancel an order, return a package, or lock your account unless you respond immediately deserve extra scrutiny. Take a moment to verify the situation independently. 

3. Keep your account information private. 

Never share your online banking password, PIN, or one-time verification code with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. If someone claims to represent Pillar Credit Union or another financial institution, end the conversation and contact that institution directly using its official website or a trusted phone number. 

4. Know who you’re buying from. 

Before purchasing from an unfamiliar online retailer, research the business and read customer reviews from independent sources. Be especially cautious of sellers demanding payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. 

5. Keep an eye on your accounts. 

Check your account activity regularly, especially when you’re making more purchases than usual. Enable transaction alerts when available so you can catch unfamiliar charges quickly. The sooner you identify suspicious activity, the sooner you can take action. 

What if you’ve already clicked? 

It happens. Scammers are skilled at making their messages seem legitimate, and anyone can be caught off guard. 

If you’ve entered financial information into a suspicious website or notice an unauthorized transaction, contact your credit union or bank immediately. If you’ve shared a password, change it right away, including on any other accounts where you’ve used the same password. 

You can also report suspicious text messages by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM) and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

More peace of mind. More You. 

Your money represents your hard work, your family’s needs, and the things you’re looking forward to. Protecting it matters. 

At Pillar, we believe having a real person to turn to makes a difference. Whether you’re concerned about an unfamiliar transaction, have questions about account security, or simply want a second opinion about something suspicious, our team is here to help. 

This holiday season, enjoy the shopping, celebrations, and time with the people who matter most. And remember, when something involving your money doesn’t feel right, it’s always worth checking. 

Visit PillarCU.com or stop by one of our branches in Marion, Mount Gilead, or Mansfield. We’re here to help you keep more of what matters. 

Pillar Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA. Membership eligibility required.