Initiative takes on holiday scams with consumer awareness

JPMORGANCHASE

JPMorganChase hosted a holiday scam prevention workshop at its Freedom Drive branch on Nov. 18.

T’is the season for holiday scams.

JPMorganChase is hosting workshops in partnership with law enforcement and local partners in recognition of International Fraud Awareness Week. The financial services giant is combating the issue by providing tools to help individuals and families avoid being a victim of spam or fraud and understand how to protect themselves in these situations.

“The trends would include individuals who have been compromised, meaning their accounts or their identity has been compromised,” said Shakeira Tennort, Chase’s community manager in Charlotte.

With the holidays coming up, scammers are aware that spending and online shopping will increase, leaving consumers more at risk. Tennort shares some tactics used to be aware of “sense of urgency or the language that cyber criminals are using to do or act now is a way that those are red flags. Also, if a scammer is impersonating someone, that’s another red flag. If they’re pretending to be someone you know or someone you’re comfortable with asking for money, if they're telling you to give them your confidential information, your account information, or if they’re asking you to send money somewhere.”

Chase is taking on the largest financial fraud and scam prevention effort in its history, which includes scam warnings, trusted contact person for customers, sharing insights with law enforcement, scam interruption team, elder assistance and training employees to support customers through scam attacks.

To avoid scam attempts, “Don't click on any links that's going to take you to a site that could have malware or a site designed to steal your information,” Tennort said. “Don't be afraid to say something. Ask a trusted advisor because scammers play on people’s emotions and they try to keep people silent.”

A common misconception is that scammers mainly attack certain age groups, especially the elderly. 

“I would say everyone is a target. Everyone needs education and awareness of how to protect themselves,” Tennort said. "The ages are 5 to senior, so that encompasses everyone.”

Chase is offering workshops where the public can learn more about this issue along with other courses such as financial education that are offered year-round and on its website.

Tennort hopes consumers can learn "to take their time, slow down. If it's not expected, question it, look for those red flags, look for the language that's encouraging them or making them act now or trying to make them act now. And then also just knowing that they have resources in the community.”

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