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Well, as the holidays quickly approach,
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online shoppers need to be cautious for
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scams and fraud when buying gifts for
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And even those who aren't shopping for
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the holidays should be on the lookout
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for some common scams. T News reporter
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Kirsten Reaper spoke with an expert
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today. Kirsten, what should be people
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looking out for as we head to the
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Jack Lauren. Gift card scams, online
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deals that seem too good to be true, and
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texts that ask you to pay bills or fines
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through a link are at the top of this
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Fraud and scams can affect everybody. I
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don't care if you have $5 to your name
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or $5 million to your name.
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When you're looking for the perfect
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gift, Dayton area community manager at
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Chase, Kenya Taylor, says only buy from
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vetted retailers. As much as we're
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filled with joy, we want to get things
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for our families and just really get out
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there and shop and buy the things that
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they want and they love, we got to be
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really careful because the scammers are
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out there also trying to steal our joy.
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To make sure an online retailer is
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legitimate, check for spelling and URLs
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and research to make sure the deals are
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If you see a deal that's too good to be
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true, I would recommend that you do some
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research because nine times out of 10,
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if it sounds too good to be true, it
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probably is. Taylor also warns about a
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scam that reaches out through emails or
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texts saying a bill or fine needs to be
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paid and the only way to pay it is with
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If somebody's asking you to buy a gift
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card to pay a bill, that's not typically
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how it's done. If it doesn't make sense
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in how you're paying your bill in a
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certain type of way, don't do it.
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Taylor also says use a credit card over
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a debit card. Don't give out personal
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information and review your bank
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statements for suspicious activity.
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Don't let the scammers fool you, but be
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aware, be vigilant, and still have a
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joyful holiday season.
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For those wanting to learn more about
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scam and fraud prevention, Chase's right
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Dunar branch will host a workshop on
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December 11th at Goodwill Easter Seals
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in Trotwood at 10 a.m. In the studio,
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Kirstson Reedford, 2 News.