The holiday season has just begun! Most stores flood with customers seeking the best offers to buy gifts for their loved ones. Businesses know this, and you may notice how your inbox starts to fill with emails about special offers and discounts.
However, the holiday season tends to also bring higher security risks to consumers since many scammers take advantage of the sense of urgency of consumers to sneak in diverse scam tricks.
Consequently, every year, countless shoppers become victims of holiday scams. However, by being aware of certain warning signs, you can shield yourself from fraudulent schemes. Here, we’ll outline the unmistakable indicators of several common holiday scams to help you protect both yourself and your finances.
Summary
Shop reliable websites
Avoid clicking on unknown source attachments
Look for HTTPS:// (not HTTP)
Review your bank and credit card statements
Do not use public Wi-Fi for any shopping activity
Consider using a password manager and MFA
Don’t respond to pop-ups
Always verify donation requests
Avoid using your debit card when online shopping
How To Avoid Holiday Scams: 8 Essential Tips While Shopping Online
Shop Reliable Websites
In the most recent Online Scams Report by the Better Business Bureau Institute, it was revealed that scams perpetrated online continued to grow, making up 68.4% of all reports. So it is crucial to be extra cautious when shopping online. Knowing what to look for will help you stay safe.
To steer clear of online shopping scams, consider the following guidelines:
1. Exercise caution with online marketplaces: If you have to shop at online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, NextDoor, and others, do it with extra vigilance, or even contemplate avoiding them altogether.
When purchasing directly from an individual and making cash payments, you might not have the same level of purchase protection available when dealing with a reputable retailer or using a credit card.
2. Opt for traceable payment methods: Be wary if you are requested to make payments using gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, as this is a warning sign that the transaction could be a scam. Instead, consider using peer-to-peer payment apps with built-in purchase protections, such as PayPal or Venmo, for a safer payment alternative.
Avoid Clicking On Unknown Source Attachments
Even if they appear to be from people close to you, legitimate organizations, your frequent retailers, or even your bank.
Emails can easily be faked, but there are always key points to look at and verify. We suggest only open known and expected attachments. If you ever come across phishing emails, don’t click on any link and block the sender.
Look For HTTPS:// (Not HTTP)
When shopping online, always verify if the website URL starts with HTTPS://. HTTPS sites ensure that your connection is encrypted, applying an extra layer of security to your information.
The presence of “https://” within a web address signifies the encryption of data shared between your computer and the site.
This encryption process secures sensitive information, including personal or financial information, credit card data, and passwords, by encoding it and shielding it from potential interception by malicious hackers.
In the absence of such encryption, your data becomes more susceptible to interception.
Review Your Bank And Credit Card Statements
This is one of the most accurate ways to detect if somebody has your identity or bank account information. If you detect purchases that you don’t remember making, report them to the bank.
If you detect any suspicious activity, here are some actions you can take:
1. Get in touch with your bank immediately. If you’ve transferred funds to a fraudulent entity or made a payment using a credit or debit card, promptly contact your bank and report that you’ve fallen prey to fraud. Request the cancellation of the transaction and the return of your funds.
2. Secure your credit reports. If your personal information has been compromised as a result of the scam, it’s essential to immediately freeze your credit reports. This can be done at no cost, and it prevents potential creditors from accessing the information necessary to approve new credit applications. This measure acts as a deterrent against scammers attempting to open accounts in your name.
Do Not Use Public Wi-Fi For Any Shopping Activity
It is best to avoid public Wi-Fi altogether, not just during the holiday season but always. Nevertheless, if you need to utilize a public network, ensure that autoconnection is turned off and that you are logged out of all personal accounts, especially banking sites.
Though auto-connecting to a trustworthy source such as your house is entirely appropriate, consider turning off Wi-Fi on your phone and using your data plan when you’re out in public. Yes, the data connection may be slower, but it won’t hurt to wait a few extra seconds it takes to use the internet, especially if it means your information is not at risk.
Consider Using A Password Manager And MFA
Password management tools and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can significantly improve the online shopping experience by enhancing security, convenience, and user confidence. Here’s how they achieve this:
- Enhanced Security:
- Unique, Strong Passwords: Password managers can create and securely store strong, distinct passwords for each online shopping account, reducing the risk of security breaches due to weak or reused passwords.
- Protection Against Password Theft: Password managers securely save login credentials, lowering the likelihood of password theft through methods like phishing or keylogging.
- Secure Password Sharing: Some password managers offer secure options for sharing login details with trusted individuals, adding an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Convenience:
- Automatic Form Filling and Login: Password managers can automatically fill in login credentials, shipping details, and payment information during the checkout process, saving time and simplifying the process.
- Password Recovery: In the event of forgotten login details, password managers can assist in easily retrieving or resetting passwords.
Don’t Respond To Pop-Ups
These are very common when scrolling through websites. The best thing you can do is to close them. Don’t respond or click on the links. Similarly, ignore pop-ups advising you to purchase anti-virus software or software to “clean your contaminated PC.” They could be phishing scams, so it’s better to avoid clicking on them.
Always Verify Donation Requests
During the holiday season, scammers often exploit people’s generosity. They frequently employ tactics such as sending deceptive emails making fraudulent phone calls, or even creating entire fake websites, posing as representatives of charitable causes.
They use technology to spoof their contact information, making it appear as if the communication is genuinely from a legitimate charity. Regrettably, the money that people intend to donate ends up in the scammer’s hands instead of helping those in need.
To safeguard your charitable intentions from potential scammers, it’s wise to confirm the legitimacy of an organization.
You can do this by visiting the official website of the charity to find a valid contact number or a secure online donation channel when you are ready to contribute. If you have any doubts about a charitable organization, you can also conduct research on trusted platforms like Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.
Avoid Using Your Debit Card When Online Shopping
Always remember that when shopping online, you should use your credit cards or payment systems such as PayPal.
The reason is, that if your personal information ever gets compromised, credit cards provide significantly more protection and liability.
Debit cards, on the other hand, are linked directly to your bank account, putting you in far greater danger if a criminal obtains this information.
Furthermore, if a fraudulent transaction occurs, credit card companies have the authority to reverse the charge and, hopefully, further examine the matter.
Beware Of These Common Holiday Scams
Package Delivery Scams
It is a common scam where you get a text or email asking you to click on a link for a variety of purposes, such as to get a delivery date update, track the location of the product, submit your payment preferences, provide delivery instructions, or pay a shipping fee. Additionally, you might receive a phone number to contact for more details regarding your delivery. Scammers may portray a sense of urgency in their message because they want you to act without thinking.
Unfortunately, following the link could infect your phone or computer with malware, giving cybercriminals access to your device and the ability to steal your passwords. It might also send you to a form that asks for personal information, which can open the door to identity theft.
When you contact the number, you often speak with a person who sounds nice and who requests that you confirm your personal information or supply the credit card information related to your purchase. Additionally, you can be asked to pay a shipping fee, customs fee, or tax for the package.
Don't stress over IT, leave IT to us!
Gift Card Scams
A typical gift card scam entails receiving a fraudulent or “phishing” email or text from someone you don’t know, such as a company CEO, asking you to buy several gift cards for a work-related occasion. Or maybe it’s a private request purportedly coming from a friend or relative who says they need assistance obtaining gift cards.
During the holidays, if you get any strange requests for gift cards, call the person immediately to verify the request’s legitimacy.
Social Media Scams
You could come across holiday-themed campaigns or competitions on social media platforms that give away gift cards or coupons in exchange for taking a quick online survey. Sadly, the survey is frequently fraudulent. It is merely a way to obtain your personal information in order to engage in identity theft or other forms of cybercrime.
Or perhaps a reward is only for liking or sharing a social media post. But doing either could lead to a malware infection on your device.
The final thought? During the holidays, use social media with extreme caution, especially when tempting offers that look unusually generous.
Charity Scams
Charitable giving rises around the holidays as people want to give back or try to reduce their tax obligations, and con artists are ready to profit from this.
Online and over-the-phone charity frauds are also possible. Scammers frequently pressure individuals into giving money, or they deceive them by praising them for a gift they didn’t pay for before demanding payment. Additionally, when requesting a gift, they will make sweeping and emotive statements but fail to explain how they plan to use your money.
Never donate money through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Always do your research on any charity before you give (Charity Navigator ranks charities based on transparency, accountability, and financial health).
You May Also Like
Learn to detect fake QR code scams
Clone phishing prevention tips
How to report phishing in Outlook
We Care About Your Safety!
Cybersecurity is a constant concern, and your business needs a cybersecurity audit to ensure comprehensive protection. It’s not just about safeguarding your company while you’re working; the risk is ever-present. Cybercriminals are not only interested in disrupting an entire organization but also in gaining unauthorized access to any valuable information they can find, including personal and bank accounts.
To maintain a secure digital environment, it’s essential to practice cybersecurity vigilance at all times. Consider implementing the tips compiled in this post, and if you require further assistance, we are here to provide it. A cybersecurity audit for your business can help identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your defenses, ultimately keeping your data safe. Stay secure and enjoy happy holidays!
