FBI Miami Urges Public to ‘Take a Beat’ to Avoid Holiday Scams

As holiday shopping ramps up, the FBI is warning residents to stay vigilant against fraud schemes that often surge this time of year.

Through its nationwide “Take a Beat” campaign, the bureau aims to raise awareness about scams and encourage the public to report suspicious activity.

Criminals frequently add a seasonal twist to their tactics, targeting consumers with offers that appear enticing but are designed to steal money or personal information. The FBI urges shoppers to recognize red flags and share scam-prevention tips with friends and family.

Nationwide data from the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) shows the scope of the problem: cyber-enabled fraud reported in 2024 accounted for an estimated $13.7 billion in losses from more than 333,000 complaints—nearly 83% of all losses reported to IC3 that year.

“This year in South Florida, we are uncovering more fraud scams using targeted ads that seem very realistic due to the use of technology, including generative AI,” said Brett Skiles, special agent in charge of the FBI Miami. “Remember the old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Do your due diligence, make sure that great offer isn’t a scam.”

One of the most common strategies scammers use is creating a false sense of urgency or isolation. They may leverage fear, empathy, trust, or promises of money, companionship, or employment to pressure victims into acting quickly.

The FBI’s message: “Take a Beat.” Pause before responding, verify the source, and assess the situation.

The FBI recommends several steps to safeguard personal and financial information:

• Take immediate action to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or accounts. Contact financial institutions to place protections and monitor for suspicious activity.
• Be wary of unsolicited calls, mail, texts, or door-to-door offers.
• Research unknown individuals or businesses before responding. Check reviews, verify contact information, and look up companies through resources such as the Better Business Bureau.
• Never provide personal information or send money, checks, wire transfers, or gift cards to unverified sources.

Anyone who believes they or someone they know may have been a victim of fraud should contact their local FBI office or file a report at ic3.gov. Victims should document the scammer’s name, contact method, payment method, where funds were sent, and details of the interaction.

Got News in Margate? Send it to Margate Talk. Don’t Miss Reading NW Broward County’s #1 News Sites: Coconut Creek Talk, Coral Springs Talk, Parkland Talk, Tamarac Talk, and Sunrise FL Talk.