Submitted by CFO Jimmy Patronis’ Office …
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Black Friday is the busiest day for in-store shopping nationwide and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warns all shoppers to beware of potential scams surrounding Black Friday and offers four tips to avoid becoming a victim.
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Scammers know that the holiday season is a time when many consumers are out spending money, making it one of their favorite times of the year to steal from you. Holiday shopping can leave consumers vulnerable and more likely to fall victim to scams. It’s important to stay alert when shopping this season and be on the lookout for potential scams.”
4 Tips to Protect Yourself from Black Friday Scams
1. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Be careful of unfamiliar merchants and be extra wary of items listed at prices well below those of other shops. The ultimate bargain may really be bogus or stolen goods.
2. Use a credit card instead of cash or debit. Credit cards offer consumer protection if things go wrong with a purchase.
3. Be careful of credit and coupon offers. Those last-minute deals that offer discounts in exchange for opening up a new credit account can be a trap to make you divulge financial information
4. Watch your account balances. Monitor your checking, savings, credit and any others for unauthorized charges or deposits. Report any suspicious activity immediately.
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).