The Federal Bureau of Investigation is urging residents to take precautions as scammers try to take advantage around the holidays.
According to the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, people living in Western Pennsylvania have lost over $1.3 million so far this year as a result of a variety of scams.
Common scams include online shopping scams, gift card or wire transfer payments, and charity scams. Shoppers are advised to secure all financial accounts with strong passwords before making a purchase online and check accounts frequently to get alerted to fraudulent charges as well as be careful about who is provided with personal information and verify charity donations.
Anyone who believes that they may have been a victim of scams like these should immediately contact their financial institution, notify local law enforcement, or file a complaint with the FBI.