HOUSTON - As the holiday season approaches, the festive spirit of gift-giving and celebration also brings a dark side -- scams targeting unsuspecting individuals.

While the holidays are a joyous time for many, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee warns that they also present a peak period for fraudulent activities. According to Menefee, thousands of people in the Houston area fall victim to scams every year, with this year expected to be no different.

"People are more vulnerable during the holidays, and scammers take advantage of this increased consumerism," said Menefee, noting that Houston's large population makes it a hotspot for fraud. In response, Menefee is launching a new initiative aimed at cracking down on these scams and protecting residents from significant financial losses.

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While scams take many forms, Menefee identifies several common ones that typically rise in frequency during the holiday season. These include:

Gift card scamsSpam calls requesting personal informationPrize scamsDeceptive social media ads

However, Menefee's office is particularly focused on a newer wave of scams that are stealing tens of thousands of dollars from victims -- sometimes even their homes. These include fraudulent mortgage schemes, title company scams, notary apartment scams, and contractor fraud, where victims are tricked into paying for services or goods that are never delivered.

One of the more alarming examples of such scams comes from Julia Marino, a former police officer who recently fell victim to an alleged contractor fraud scheme. Marino explained how she was lured into a scam after seeing an advertisement on Facebook for a shed-building company.

She went into an office and said she paid a deposit of $16,200 after meeting with a representative and signing a contract. ""When I made my downpayment, she made me feel so secure and like it was legit. I'm an ex-police officer and she scammed me" Marino said. However, despite repeated promises, the company postponed the start date 27 times, leaving Marino with no shed, no refund, and little recourse.

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Sadly, Marino's case is not unique. The company involved in her alleged scam, A & L Sheds, is accused of swindled over 100 victims in the Houston area, totaling more than $1.1 million in losses.

"When I made my down payment, I felt secure and believed it was a legitimate business," said Marino. " But as an ex-police officer, I never thought I'd be scammed."

In an effort to combat these growing concerns, Menefee has launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative. This program provides educational resources about common scams, as well as a platform to report fraudulent activity. The Harris County Attorney's office pledges to investigate complaints and pursue criminal actions against those responsible for scamming local residents.

"Texas was the 4th most scammed state in the country in 2022, with $760 million in losses," Menefee noted. "Houston is no different, and it's crucial that residents remain vigilant."

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The initiative is especially timely, as scams tend to spike around the holiday season when people are more willing to spend money. "The holiday season is one of the biggest times for consumerism in our country," Menefee explained. "People are out shopping, carrying cash and valuable items. These are the perfect conditions for scammers to take advantage of vulnerable communities."

Menefee stresses the importance of education and awareness in preventing scams. He encourages residents to be cautious and follow a simple acronym to help protect themselves:

Stop and think before making any purchases or commitmentsConfirm the legitimacy of the company or individual you're dealing withAvoid sharing personal information unless you're sure of the person or company's identityMonitor your bank and credit accounts for any unusual activity

With scams increasingly targeting individuals during the holidays, the Harris County Attorney's office is reminding residents to stay vigilant and informed. The new "Scam Free HC" initiative is a timely and necessary response to the growing problem, providing not only education and resources but also a way for victims to report fraud.

"These are the times where we see scammers really lock in and take advantage of our vulnerable communities" Menefee said.

For those who fall prey to scams, The Harris County Attorney's office says it is committed to investigating and holding scammers accountable.

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