With the holiday season underway, the Park Forest Police Department reminds residents to be vigilant as scammers work to find their next victim.

Chief Brian Rzyski said now is a good time for Park Foresters to familiarize themselves with common scams.

"If something sounds too good to be true, more than likely it is," Rzyski said. "So remain on guard and take some time to learn what these scams look like to protect your property, finances, identity, and other personal information."

Rzyski said if people buy things from other people directly on sites like Facebook Marketplace, those in-person transactions can occur safely in the parking lot outside of the Park Forest Police Department, 200 Lakewood Boulevard. 

Below is a list of common scams Rzyski wants Park Foresters to look out for.

• Delivery Stealing – If no one is home when deliveries are made, try to make arrangements with a trusted neighbor to hold your deliveries until you arrive home, or ask your employer if your deliveries can be dropped off at your place of employment.
• Credit Card Skimming – Be vigilant of credit card skimmers that steal your credit and debit card information at the ATM, gas pump, or other payment kiosks. Instead of inserting your credit or debit card into the slot of a merchant’s payment processing machine, consider using a payment app on your smartphone. 
• Email and Text Phishing – In this scam, you may receive an email or text message directing you to enter personal information on a fraudulent website. These fraudulent emails or texts can appear to be from a shipping/delivery company or retailer that may claim to be an order confirmation you didn’t place.
• Online Pet Scams – Pet sale scammers pose as online retailers, charging hundreds or thousands of dollars for the puppy or kitten, plus airline and transport fees. A common twist is the scammer notifies you the animal is at the airport, but additional fees are needed from you before the animal will be delivered. Check with your local animal rescues or shelters for particular breeds or sizes, or only deal with a seller in person where you can visit and meet the parents of the puppy or kitten, and inspect the premises.
• Online Pop-up Advertisements – While on your computer or mobile device, you may see pop-up ads claiming you’ve won a gift card or a valuable prize. Never click on these links, as they may contain a virus or make your device susceptible to being hacked.
• Online Marketplace Deals – Be suspicious of sellers promising deals on peer-to-peer apps and online marketplaces, offering the latest popular toys and games that are difficult to find.