Bankers Assoc., DACO launch campaign to avoid holiday scams
The Puerto Rico Bankers Association (ABPR, in Spanish) and the Department of Consumer Affairs (DACO, in Spanish) have launched an educational campaign titled “¡No te dejes envolver!” (“Don’t get caught up in it!”) to help consumers identify financial fraud, use credit responsibly and understand their rights during the holiday shopping season.
“The main goal of this campaign is to provide consumers with practical tools to make informed and safe purchasing decisions,” said ABPR President Zoimé Álvarez-Rubio.
“Each year, scams become more sophisticated. Our goal is for people to exercise caution and shop with peace of mind, making informed decisions and avoiding falling victim to deception,” she said.
DACO Secretary Valerie Rodríguez-Erazo said “consumer protection begins with education,” adding that the agency’s focus is prevention rather than intervention after financial harm has occurred.
“We want every family to enjoy Christmas with peace of mind, knowing they can shop safely, without fear of being scammed,” she said.
The campaign will share educational messages on digital platforms focused on fraud prevention, secure payment methods and responsible financial planning.
Among its key recommendations: compare prices and read store return policies before buying, verify that online stores are secure, avoid sharing personal information through unofficial links and set a budget to manage spending responsibly.
The ABPR and DACO said the initiative reaffirms their shared commitment to helping consumers make informed financial decisions and avoid fraud during the peak shopping season.
