'Surprise' Presents Behind Latest Holiday Scams

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Con artists are getting craftier and more creative in scams designed to separate you from your cash.

In the latest ruse, they’re showing up at your door with a package and then asking for debit or credit card information to “verify” the delivery, the Better Business Bureau warns.

Here’s how the scam works:

To claim the gift, you need to pay a nominal “verification fee” with a debit or credit card. The person posing as a delivery person produces a handheld scanner and says only electronic payments can be accepted.

The card scanner is actually a device that collects the credit/debit card number, PIN and/or security code, which con artists can use to make unauthorized charges or commit identity theft.

In one version of the scam, the transaction confirms that the gift basket, which contains a bottle of wine, was given to a person of legal drinking age, the Better Business Bureau said.

The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to protect yourself:

• Be suspicious of a package from an unrecognized delivery service or source. If a friend or family member wants to surprise you, they will likely send a gift using an established service.
• Do not give your credit or debit card to someone at your door. Unless you requested the package and expected to pay something, you shouldn’t have a fee at delivery.
• Asking for ID is OK, but not a credit card. It is not out of the ordinary to ask for identification when alcohol is delivered, but the receiver would not be required to pay a fee to receive a gift

Look out for other variations. This isn’t the only delivery scam that pops up at this time of year. BBB has a warning about a number of holiday scams.