Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia | (216) 250-5863 | jciaccia@cuyahogacounty.gov

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – As the holiday shopping season officially kicks off, the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs is warning residents to be stay alert to common, and often costly, holiday scams.

“Scammers try to snare us by making us think that we or someone we care about has a problem – and that the only way to solve it is to send money. It’s not true.,” said Sheryl Harris, the director of the Consumer Affairs Department.

Many current scams start with:

• Alerts about purchases or charges you didn’t make.
• Offers of discounts on services.
• Texts about package delivery issues.
• Calls or texts from government agencies that say you’re in trouble.

“The worst thing to do when you’re rushing or worried is click a link, dial a callback number, or make a decision involving money,” Harris said. “If you need to contact a company or agency, use a website or number you know is real – not one sent to you by a stranger.”

For advice on hassle-free shopping, visit cuyahogacounty.gov/shopping.

To get help or report a scam, call Scam Squad 216-443-7226 or visit cuyahogacounty.gov/scamsquad.