As the holiday season approaches, many people are making lists for their holiday shopping, but one item they won't have on it is fraud.

  Though fraud is a continuous problem throughout the year in Yuma, the holiday season sees more incidents for many reasons, said Yuma Police spokesman Officer Clint Norred.

  "Gift cards (scams) are very popular at holiday time," Norred said.

  Fraud with the cards has been seen in Yuma in the past, he said. These cards are purchased online from a third-party seller and not directly from the retailer. The purchaser may end up not receiving the card, the card may be found empty or the retailer may not accept it.

  In addition to gift card scams, other fraud crimes increase due to Yuma's rise in population at this time of the year, he said. Winter visitors and seasonal workers help contribute to the rise in fraud reports.

  "We do see a number of scams that are targeted to winter visitors," said Capt. Eben Bratcher, spokesman for the Yuma County Sheriff's Office.
"Be very, very cautious."

  Construction fraud is one such scam usually targeted toward winter visitors, Bratcher said. It occurs with groups of people called "travelers." These people are unlicensed workers who usually work in groups but often send one person around to target homeowners.

  The "travelers" tell the owners they need repairs done to their house, such as roofing or asphalt work and say they can provide the repairs at a discount price. When the work is completed, it is extremely substandard.

  "We stay on top of them," Bratcher said. The number of incidents with this type of construction fraud is decreasing due to local law enforcement efforts, but area residents should still be aware that it happens here.

  To avoid becoming a victim of construction fraud, Norred recommends people consult a licensed contractor or another person, such as a neighbor or friend, to help determine if repairs are necessary before taking the advice of someone who stops at their house.

  Many times, people receive phone calls or e-mails saying they won a prize and need to pay a fee to receive the prize or to give out personal information in order to receive it.

  Bratcher says that if you didn't enter a contest, this type of contact is likely someone targeting you for fraud. He also said there are current schemes involving Western Union money transfers and fake money orders.

  Classified ads have been a target, he said. In this scheme, people call to say they want to buy the item in the classified ad but cannot be present in person to pay for it. The buyer sends a money order but pays too much for the item.

  The seller is then asked to cash the money order and wire the difference to the buyer. Later, the seller finds out from the bank that the money order is fake and that they have to pay the money back to the bank.

  "One thing to be very cautious about. Many scammers are wanting you to send money through Western Union," Bratcher said. He said that anyone can pick up the money from Western Union anywhere, not just the location the person believes they are sending it.

  Not only during the holiday season but throughout the year, phone, online and e-mail fraud is an ongoing problem, Norred said. People should not provide personal or banking information if asked for it through the telephone or e-mail.

  He also recommends individuals look for the secure site lock padlock on a Web site when making online transactions.

  "The Internet is such a tricky place," Norred said. " You have to be very, very picky when it comes to e-mails."

  According to Bratcher, most e-mail fraud is coming from outside of the country, and there is not much local law enforcement can do about them.

  The best way to avoid fraud is to be aware and educated about how to not be a victim.

  "Unfortunately, there are so many types of scams," Norred said. "I want them to be suspicious. People are out there looking to finagle them out of their money."

  Fraud schemes are always improving and changing. It is hard to keep up, he said. Education on the basics is the best way to defend yourself no matter what the new scheme is.

  Norred recommends people never give out bank account or credit card numbers or personal information, including Social Security numbers, to someone who says they are calling from a bank or a government agency. These places already have your information and will not need to call you to get it.

  Additionally, he recommends shredding documents with personal information rather than throwing them away, and being inquisitive with someone asking for your personal information. If you are inquisitive with the person asking for the information, they often cannot answer all of your questions, he said.

  Anyone who believes they are being targeted by a fraud scheme is encouraged to contact the their local law enforcement agency, the Better Business Bureau, the  Federal Trade Commission or the U.S. Postal Inspection Services.

  "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is," Bratcher said.

  "No scammer or con man can really get you if you follow your common sense," Norred said.