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Common Holiday Scams

Common Holiday Scams

BBB Column

The holiday season is here! Although the pandemic will certainly change how we prepare, consumers are still planning to shop and celebrate. Unfortunately, scammers are also ready for the holidays. With your mind on finding the perfect gifts and best deals, they hope you won’t be watching for fraud. Use these tips from your Better Business Bureau to avoid common holiday scams this year:

Seasonal employment scams.

Many companies and industries hire extra employees during the holidays to help with increased business. This is a perfect opportunity for scammers to put out fake help wanted ads. Use these tips to stay safe while looking for seasonal job opportunities:

  • Know the signs. Being aware of the red flags of employment scams can help you avoid them. Employers asking for upfront payment for a job, job offers without interviews and big money for small jobs are all major signs of employment scams.
  • Don’t work before you’re hired. A legitimate company will not ask you to begin a project before hiring you. Before starting any work, ask for an offer letter or for confirmation in writing. This should include details about the job and compensation.

Hot Toy Scams

Each year, a few toys are more popular than the rest, and when they begin to sell out in stores, parents look elsewhere to find them. They might find a legitimate-looking website that claims to have them, maybe even on sale! Unfortunately, after purchasing the toy, it never arrives, and they discover the website and offers were fake. These tips can keep your wallet safe when searching for this year’s hot toys:

  • Buy from reputable retailers. Buying directly from stores, in-person and online, that you know and trust is the best way to avoid being scammed. You can go to their business profile on bbb.org to find their rating and customer reviews. Also, be sure their website has valid customer service information.
  • Watch for extra-low prices. Unreasonably low prices and discounts are often red flags of a scam. Remember, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Delivery Scams

Delivery scams and package theft can take several forms. They may be phishing emails from scammers posing as the delivery company, or fake “missed delivery” tags, which attempt to get your personal information. Some consumers find that packages are stolen off their doorstep before they arrive home from work. To avoid these situations, use these tips:

  • Take precautions. If you are having a fragile or valuable item delivered, purchase shipping insurance. You can also track packages, or request that a signature be required for the package to be delivered.
  • Watch for emails about missed deliveries. Most legitimate delivery services leave a missed delivery notice on your door. An email could be a phishing scam.

Have safe and happy holidays, from everyone at BBB serving the Heart of Texas!

 

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Cheri represented us on the purchase and close of our home to an area we were new to. She was very knowledgable and helped us to get settled along the way. Pleasure to work with! Very well respected in her field of work.~ Koena T.
Coastline Properties is a very qualified Real Estate Agency in Corpus Christi, TX. They have great knowledge of the market, are proficient and very personable. I Have recommended several clients to them with like results.~ John L. Sullivan
Recently I asked my 10 closest friends who they would vote for as North Padre Island''s top Realtor; emphatically every single one of them came back and said "Cheri Sperling." This is why I trust Coastline Properties for all my real estate transactions.~ Alex K.
Absolute Best Corpus Christi Realtor!! Cheri Sperling from Coastline Properties came to our rescue, and we finalized the deal that closed on 04/09/12. Her impeccable communication skills helped us to truly create a win/win transaction. Her patience, commitment to people’s feelings and knowledge of Real Estate Law make her an outstanding Realtor. After dealing with a horrible Commercial Realtor trying to sell our business building that just wasn't going anywhere. We called Cheri, today I feel so blessed with the deal that she helped us negotiate. Thank You for everything Cheri....you are THE BEST!~ Astoria Properties, LLC
It is with our utmost privilege we endorse Coastline Properties! We have known Cheri Sperling for at least 15+ years. As a real estate professional and dear mutual friend! Thanks to Cheri we have been avoided many costly mistakes, in connection with the various houses she has shown us over the years. Her expertise and valuable advice, has prevented us numerous unnecessary expenses that could have had traumatic lasting affects!~ William & Norma Twijnstra
In the 37 years that I have lived in Corpus Christi, I have been involved in the purchase or sale of Real Estate 16 times. In the last three, my wife and I have been represented by Cheri Sperling of Coastline Properties. I highly recommend Cheri Sperling and feel she is the finest realtor I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. She is knowledgeable, honest, energetic and dependable. Not only does Cheri know all of the ins and outs of the local real estate market and the applicable rules and regulations, she is willing to always go the extra mile to make the deal work and take the burden off of her client in the process. If I ever find myself in another real estate transaction in the future, I will make every effort to have Cheri Sperling represent me.~ Michael O’Reilly, P.C.
Cheri, Thank You for visiting with me this morning. I learn much from you. It is always so pleasant to walk into Coastline as I am always warmly greeted, the office is very inviting and full of helpful information for your clients. I am grateful for you putting 14318 Caribe Dr. on your calendar for October 9. I am excited about you and the agents seeing every nook and cranny that this amazing home has to offer.Have a great weekend..~ Mary Melick Real Estate
Cheri, We will always have fond memories of our time in Corpus Christi and our relocation experience because of you. You have done an outstanding job not only in buying and selling our house but throughout the entire relocation process creating a seamless transition. If we ever return to the Corpus Christi area, we know who to call. Thank you so much!~ Ken, Padre Islander
Thanks to Tara Gallaspy for doing such a great job on our recent home sale! It was nice to leave the job in such a capable person's hands and not have to worry about the myriad of details that take place in order to finalize a sale. Our house had a contract one week from listing, and the closing went off early without a hitch. Tara also went above and beyond between those two events. I would never hesitate to recommend her to a friend.~ Shannon Trial, Padre Islander