Let the Grinch protect you from holiday scams
Betty Lin-Fisher doesn't have a lair up on a mountain or a dog who helps her steal the heart of Christmas. But she is here to ruin the holiday glow just a little bit.
"I am the Grinch," she says. As Paste BN's consumer reporter, Lin-Fisher works to protect you from holiday season scams, which are common in today's age as inflation-strapped shoppers seek any way out of paying full price. But often the cost of what appears to be a deal is far higher, giving criminals payouts and leaving shoppers with the equivalent of coal in a stocking. She's raising the red (and green and blue and gold) flags that shoppers should be aware of to protect their money and their peace this time of year.
👋 Nicole Fallert here and welcome to Your Week, our newsletter exclusively for Paste BN subscribers (that's you!). This week, we talk with Lin-Fisher about what shopping trends for the holiday season − and how to protect yourself.
Here are a few more headlines I've read this week from Paste BN:
- Here's how to reduce your post-Thanksgiving waste.
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- Here's why these travelers ended their dream trip early.
- Earth tilted 31.5 inches. So whose fault is that?
- Uh-oh: The final Mercury retrograde of 2024 is here.
Protecting your joy (and your pockets)
Betty Lin-Fisher isn't a total Grinch: She recalls multiple years staying awake after Thanksgiving to get to the shops first thing in the morning on Black Friday. The deals felt worth the energy, she said. But that age has passed. Black Friday has now stretched from October through the end of the year, with majority online sellers offering deals galore.
In this crowded space, it's harder than ever to know what's a real deal, and if it is, whether it's really cutting the price that much.
"We want people to have the best holiday they can," Lin-Fisher said. Her approach? Show consumers like you how to go a step further than taking the deal that's offered at face value. Paste BN's holiday shopping coverage is about making shoppers smarter, whether it's by stacking coupons or leveraging browser extensions, to compare deals and seed out fake ones.
"Because I write so much about scams, I want to make sure people's holidays aren't ruined," Lin-Fisher said. "We are used to rushing to buy things. Maybe you're finishing things at work pre-holiday, or something seems too good to be true."
Lin-Fisher's tips for safe holiday shopping:
- Check that the website URL is reputable and doesn't include any typos.
- Don't click on links in unsolicited texts from brands. Cross-check the deal elsewhere to make sure it's real.
- Take a beat. If someone is pressuring you to spend money now and fast, pause and see whether it's really worth it and why they want your money so urgently.
That last piece of guidance can be remedied by what Lin-Fisher calls "slow shopping": Next time you see something you want to buy, don't put it in your cart. Walk away or close the tab. Finish the rest of your shopping list. If you're still thinking about that thing, maybe consider the purchase next time.
And perhaps the perfect gift is something you already have. Pre-owned gifting is booming, Lin-Fisher said. (I love a vintage silk scarf for a friend; they're usually under $10, and it's so fun to pick the scarf that matches their personality.) Consignment shops, or your own closet, are fair game this year as Americans grapple with persistent inflation across sectors, from clothing to tech to home goods. This is also the perfect kind of gift for an environmentally conscious holiday, she said, versus buying brand-new items.
"People are using their money differently," Lin-Fisher said.
In lieu of a material gift, many friends and families also are gifting one another something far more precious in today's economy: time together for an experience. The present of our presence goes a long way, Lin-Fisher said. It doesn't have to be tickets to a Mediterranean cruise, either. Think small and unique to that person.
"No shopper is the same," Lin-Fisher said. "It's important to remember this time of year to show your love, but don't go into debt over this. That's not going to help your friends and family."
For Lin-Fisher, she's still going to do some shopping in the next few weeks. But she'll be buying with better habits, and she encourages you to follow Paste BN's holiday shopping hub to make sure you do the same: "I want people to have a holiday season that's joyful instead of something stealing that joy."
Read more holiday shopping content from Paste BN
- Don't let fraudsters ruin your holidays. Protect yourself with these tips.
- What do teachers really want for the holidays?
- Here's how to find the deals that stretch your holiday dollar.
- More people than ever are OK with buying and receiving secondhand gifts this year.
- Even teens say rising prices affect their holiday shopping.
Thank you
Can't wait to fill my cart and get to (smart) shopping this holiday season! Thank you for supporting our journalism with your subscription. Our work wouldn't be possible without you.
Best wishes,
Nicole Fallert