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To the Editor:
Experts are warning that because of the holiday scams will skyrocket. Eagerness to get our hands on the season’s hottest gifts are likely to play right into the hands of scammers who are trying to take advantage of people.
Shopping app Temu is called the most dangerous malware/spyware package currently in widespread use. People who download Temu think they will save money on shopping but have their ID and credit card info stolen.
Don’t be a victim. Be suspicious and remember the saying, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Scammers are using the internet as their number one way to find victims. The following are scams according to www.fraud.org. 1. Internet: general merchandise sales where goods purchased are either never delivered or misrepresented. 2. Prizes, sweepstakes or free gifts requesting payment to claim fictitious prizes, lottery winnings, or gifts. 3. Fake check scams where consumers paid with phony checks for work or for items they’re trying to sell, instructed to wire money back to buyer. 4. Recovery or refund companies where scammers contact victims and claim they owe money on a fictitious debt or offers to recover money lost in a previous scam. 5. Phishing or spoofing are Emails pretending to be from a well-known source asking consumers to enter personal information. 6. Friendship or sweetheart swindles happen when con artists nurture an online relationship, builds trust, and convinces the victim to send money. 7. Family and friends imposters scam is where a scammer calls or emails, claiming a friend or family member is in distress (in jail, in the hospital, etc.) and urgently needs money.
The Bible says “test everything; hold fast that which is good (true).” When asked about the last days Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” We are seeing more deception than ever before and AI is now being used to deceive people!

D.D. Nave
Elizabethton