The spirit of the season has arrived! On this occasion, many of us are looking forward to coming together to show our appreciation and exchange presents. Shamefully, the holiday season is also a time when frauds begin to soar, dampening the joy of the season.
Get the word out about cyber scams to everyone you know, even if you’re already an expert at preventing them.
People might be targeted by scammers in several ways. Please allow us to assist you and your loved ones in avoiding a tragic Christmas.
5 Holiday Scams You Should Be Wary Of
Misleading Social Media ADS
These lead consumers to bogus online retailers that steal their personal and credit card data. Victims of these schemes risk having their money and personal information stolen.
The best way to stay away from Be wary of bargains that sound too good to be true; install security software to safeguard devices; monitor financial statements for any unauthorised transactions; report suspicious transactions immediately; and do research on a specific store (looking for customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials from reliable sources) to protect yourself from social media ad and fake online shop scams.
Deceptive delivery notification texts
For those who aren’t paying close enough attention, deceitful texts announcing arrival are easy to fall for. These phishing emails will trick you into thinking your ordered product would be delayed in shipment or into paying a fee that is supposed to be necessary for the shipment of your parcel.
The best way to stay away from making sure the sender is legitimate before responding to a text message in order to avoid falling for scams utilising false delivery notifications. Go straight to the delivery service’s official website instead of clicking on links in notifications; enter the tracking number to get the most current and accurate information. You can also check the whereabouts of your product by contacting the delivery service directly through their established channels.
Hacking over public Wi-Fi is a persistent problem
Public Wi-Fi networks are notoriously easy to hack, even though they may be available for free at places like airports, hotels, cafes, and other popular destinations. Con artists use a technique called man-in-the-middle (MiTM) to steal sensitive information.
According to CyberGhost the best way to stay away from cyber scams is to keep your personal information private, including credit card numbers and passwords, safe. You shouldn’t shop online when you’re out and about. Only shop on trusted and encrypted networks. Think about getting a virtual private network (VPN) if you’re worried about the security of your home network. VPNs encrypt your data transmissions and prevent eavesdropping.
Inauthentic bids for rare or expensive things
During the holidays, there is a spike in transactions connected to travel or popular products. Unfortunately, this can lead to scams when victims unwittingly purchase fake tickets or merchandise.
Preventative measures: Stay away from deceitful bargains. Check that the website is using a secure connection (HTTPS, not HTTP), read the terms and conditions thoroughly, listen to your gut, and do your research on the seller and the website before making a purchase. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, especially for hard-to-find items.
Phishing Emails
Phishing emails that appear to be from well-known companies. Scammers will occasionally pretend to be from well-known organisations like Amazon, Walmart, etc. Scammers use social engineering techniques in these misleading emails to steal sensitive information such as passwords, personal details, and financial details.
The best way to stay away from You may protect yourself by taking measures like checking the sender’s details, being wary of unsolicited emails, and staying away from questionable sites. Go to the official website of the company to check whether there are any prizes or promotions. To strengthen defences against phishing attacks, install and update trustworthy security software frequently.
