It's that time of year. The ghosts and goblins will be running around begging for treats, and if you don't oblige, they could trick you.

Nobody wants to be tricked.

Being tricked by a kid who doesn't get their candy isn't as sour as getting duped by a scammer. The kid may soap your window or smash your pumpkin. The scammer could take you for lots of money, steal your identity, or something along those lines.

There are ways to avoid scams that could lead to years of turmoil and frustration. The advancement of technology has made it easier for scammers to take advantage of unknowing Wyomingites.

Mike Epifani from Bonus.com explains.

Scams are becoming more advanced, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated techniques to trick customers.

Recent data on Halloween spending each year shows that in 2023, total expenditure hit a record high of $12.2 billion. This marked a 15.1% annual increase from 2022’s $10.6 billion.

With this volume comes a bigger appeal for scammers to prey on customers. However, there are several things shoppers can do to keep their money and personal information safe.

Here are a few things to look for when browsing online to avoid falling for a scam.

Helpful Advice For Avoiding Wicked Halloween Scams In Wyoming
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Knock-off or fake products - Be cautious of items with low prices from unknown brands. If you're on Amazon, read the ratings and reviews, and avoid brands and sellers you don't trust or are not familiar with.

Helpful Advice For Avoiding Wicked Halloween Scams In Wyoming
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Fake winning notifications - Scams have been circulating online for years, especially those that say you're a "Big Winner" or "Lucky Winner." You may receive a notification in your email, on a website, or even a text message instructing you to click the link and enter your information to cover other charges. Always remember that if it seems too good to be true, it likely is.

Helpful Advice For Avoiding Wicked Halloween Scams In Wyoming
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Delivery or package theft alerts - Scammers can send alerts that say your delivery can't be made or that you need to reschedule your delivery time. They may send a link for you to click on to confirm a time or address. These links likely contain a phishing site or malware download. If you've placed an order and get one of these messages, check the app or website of the place you ordered from and get the status of your package.

Helpful Advice For Avoiding Wicked Halloween Scams In Wyoming
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Phishing Texts or Email - Any messages you receive from an unfamiliar site or one you've never visited could be looking to cause problems. If the message contains a link, has misspelled words, or generic greetings,  avoid the frustration and delete it. If you're not convinced it's spam, go to the retailer's app or website.

Helpful Advice For Avoiding Wicked Halloween Scams In Wyoming
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Fake customer service scam - Our phones are a great source to help avoid being scammed, but they can also be how you're scammed. Fake "customer service agents" can try contacting you via phone call, message, email, or even chat, claiming there is an issue with your account and that they need your information to fix or verify it. Remember, it's a scam if you're ever asked to send gift cards or money directly. Most customer services won't ask for personal information, passwords, or payments.

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