With the holiday season approaching, online shopping scams are on the rise as scammers take advantage of the rush to buy gifts. The increase in online buying, combined with distracted and busy shoppers, creates a perfect opportunity for scammers to trick consumers into falling for fake deals and other scams. This year’s online holiday sales are expected to reach record highs, with cybercriminals utilizing generative AI tools to craft custom scams that appear more convincing and legitimate than ever before. These scams range from fake and spoofed merchant websites to phishing emails and social-engineering scams.
Experts recommend taking precautions to shop safely during the holidays, including checking credit card and bank statements regularly, setting up purchase alerts, and limiting holiday shopping to a single credit card and email address. Consumers should be cautious of requests for payment in cryptocurrency or retail gift cards, as these forms of payment are difficult to track and can be easily converted into cash by cybercriminals. Spam and scam emails are common during this time of year, and shoppers should be wary of clicking on links in suspicious emails that could lead to fake websites collecting personal and financial information.
When shopping online, consumers should be skeptical of ads touting amazing deals and offers that seem too good to be true. It is advisable to shop on the websites of well-known retailers and vet any unfamiliar sites before making a purchase. Gift cards are a popular choice for hard-to-shop-for individuals, but consumers should be cautious of buying digital gift cards from third-party sites, as they may not be reliable. Basic cybersecurity precautions, such as using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping devices and software up to date, are essential for protecting against cyberattacks.
Overall, holiday shoppers should remain vigilant and cautious when making online purchases to avoid falling victim to scams and fraudulent activity. By following expert recommendations, such as checking bank statements regularly, being wary of suspicious emails, and vetting unfamiliar websites, consumers can protect themselves from potential cyber threats during the holiday season. Additionally, taking basic cybersecurity precautions, such as using secure passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, can help safeguard personal and financial information while shopping online.
