SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (Edited News Release/KY3) - As the holiday season approaches, the Springfield Police Department is reminding the community to stay vigilant against the rise in seasonal scams that target shoppers, travelers, and gift-givers.

Each year, scammers take advantage of the higher spending, busy schedules, and increased generosity to trick unsuspecting victims into giving away money or personal information. The most common holiday scams include fake online stores, package-delivery phishing messages, gift card payment demands, charity fraud, and misleading social media ads.

“We want people to enjoy the season without the added stress of falling victim to a scam,” said Lt. Jennifer Charleston, commander of the Property Crimes Section. “If something feels rushed, suspicious, or too

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