Contact 6: Watch out for scammers during holiday season

MILWAUKEE -- The holidays can bring out the best and worst in people. FOX6's Contact 6 offers some helpful hints for protection against holiday scam artists.

Christmas is the season for giving, and for scam artists, the season for taking. Their most frequent target is the elderly.

"Scammers are often using the holidays as a backdrop to solicit people. They think people are a little more trusting during that time and a little more giving," U.S. Postal Inspector Lori Groen said.

Groen has some tips for individuals this holiday season.

"First, look for solicitations of sweepstakes, things that say they have won fabulous prizes. Also, look for foreign lotteries. All foreign lotteries through the mail are illegal," Groen said.

Another warning from postal inspectors is to beware of offerings of so-called valuable items like watches, gloves and jewelry. 

"This was something that was described as some fabulous jewelry that someone would have one in a sweepstakes. In reality, it`s nothing but costume jewelry," Groen said.

Groen says to keep in mind many scam artists will be dialing for dollars during the holidays. Groen says never give out personal information over the phone, and don't donate money to just anyone.

CLICK HERE to file a complaint with FOX6's Contact 6.