The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has issued warnings about several types of holiday fraud.
The department says to watch for online marketplace fraud, where scammers create fake listings for popular items like event tickets and vacation rentals. It warns to avoid upfront payments, keep communications within official apps and verify sellers before purchasing. The department is also alerting consumers over phishing messages, which are fraudulent texts and emails that look like they come from retailers or shipping companies, citing problems with purchases. It says to delete suspicious messages and visit company websites directly instead of clicking links.
