Both the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the FBI’s Columbia Field Office have advice for safe shopping this holiday season.

In a release, Susan Ferensic, special agent in charge of the Columbia Field Office, warns of common scams that are likely to crop up again this holiday season.

“More than ever consumers are shopping online and using alternative payment methods, aside from cash,” she is quoted. “Criminals have adapted to the way we shop, and they work overtime to create elaborate schemes to steal from us.”

The release states that non-delivery and non-payment crimes are the most prevalent types of scams. During the 2020 holiday season, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 17,000 complaints of non-delivery goods, resulting in losses exceeding $53 million.

The Columbia Field Office warns consumers to be on the lookout for these common scams:

- Online shopping scams: Scammers offer deals through phishing emails or advertisements.

- Social media scams: Scammers use social media sites that appear to offer vouchers or gift cards. These scams often lead consumers to complete online surveys designed to steal personal information.

- Smartphone app scams: Scammers design mobile apps disguised as free games that steal personal information.

- Work-from-home scams: Scammers use websites and social media posts that offer working from home. Convenience is the attention grabber, but there may be fraudulent intentions.

- Gift card scams: Victims receive a spoofed email, call, or text asking them to purchase multiple gift cards for person or business reasons.

- Charity scams: Criminals set up false charities and profit from individuals who believe they are donating to legitimate organizations.

Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon offers advice on how to avoid being a target of theft when going out to shop.

“This time of year always brings concerns for safety and security,” he is quoted in a release. “Distractions lingering from the pandemic and the holiday season could make you a prime target for crooks looking to steal your money, your merchandise or even your identity. It’s important to stay alert to protect yourself, your valuables and your personal information.”

He recommends the following shopping safety tips:

- A single shopper is the best target for theft. Always shop with a friend or relative.

- Tell someone where you’re shopping and what time to expect you to return. They should also know what you’re wearing and driving.

- Keep cash in your front pocket rather than in a purse or wallet. This makes it much more difficult for a pick-pocket to remove. Carry car keys in a pants or jacket pocket. If your purse is stolen, you’ll still be able to drive home.

- If you feel uneasy returning to your vehicle alone, find a security guard and ask them to walk you to your car.

“It’s easy to get caught up in all the comings and goings of the holidays that seem to start as soon as we put away the Thanksgiving leftovers,” Koon is quoted. “Busy holiday shoppers can become careless and vulnerable to financial fraud crimes.”

The sheriff also offers tips for keeping your financial information from falling into the wrong hands:

- Keep a close watch on your credit and debit cards every time you use them. Get them back as quickly as possible.

- Never write your PIN on your card.

- Never leave your cards or receipts lying around.

- Shield your cards so others around you can’t copy the number or snap a picture of it.

- Only carry the cards that you absolutely need.

- Shred anything with your card number on it.

Koon also shared a warning about gift cards, which he notes have become “popular holiday presents in recent years.”

“They’ve also become popular tools for bad guys to take money out of your pockets and bank accounts,” he is quoted.