It's October, which means the biggest online shopping day of the YEAR is just weeks away: Cyber Monday. Unfortunately, it's also open season for cybercriminals. Because preparation is the best prevention, we're covering the six most common shopping scams this time of year and how to avoid them.
It's Open Season For Shopping Scams
Due to the
high volume of shopping activity during the holiday season, cybercriminals
don't have to work hard to find potential victims. But it's not simply volume
that contributes to the rise in attacks; consumers take more risks during the
holiday season. According to Norton's 2022 Cyber Safety Insights Report, nearly
one in three adults (32%) worldwide admitted to taking more risks with online
shopping closer to the holidays. Last-minute shopping pressure or excitement
around scoring big deals results in common mistakes, including clicking on
unverified links, using public WiFi for transactions and ignoring website
security red flags.
Cybercriminals
expect shoppers to make mistakes, and they have tried-and-true tactics for
stealing your money. Watch out for these six scams that appear this time of
year, and protect yourself this holiday season.
6 Common Scams During Black Friday And Cyber Monday And How to Avoid Them
1. Fake Coupons: Scammers
distribute fake coupons promising steep discounts. These coupons are often
shared via e-mail, social media and fake websites designed to mimic legitimate
retailers. Remember: if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
How to avoid: Always
verify a coupon by checking the retailer's official website or app, and avoid
clicking on links in unsolicited e-mails.
2. Phony Websites: To steal personal information, fake websites mimic legitimate online stores using similar logos, branding and URLs that are only slightly different from the official sites.
How to avoid: Check for
secure website indicators such as HTTPS and a padlock icon in the address bar.
Read reviews and quickly search the website's legitimacy before making any
purchases. Pay attention to the URL for any unusual characters or misspellings.
3. Fake Delivery And Nondelivery Scams: Scammers
send fake delivery notifications or claim a package is undeliverable to trick
you into providing personal information.
How to avoid: Track
orders directly through the retailer's website or app. Avoid clicking on links
in suspicious messages, and be cautious of unsolicited delivery notifications.
4. Fake "Order Issue" Scams: E-mails
claiming a problem with your order and asking for personal details are common.
These messages often look like they come from well-known retailers.
How to avoid: Contact customer service directly through the retailer's official
channels to verify any issues, and avoid providing personal details through
links in unsolicited messages.
5. Account Verification Scams: Scammers send e-mails or texts asking
you to verify your account information. These messages often include links to
fake login pages.
How to avoid: Never
provide personal details through links in unsolicited messages; instead, log in
directly to your account through the official website.
6. Gift Card Scams: Scammers offer discounted gift cards or request payment via gift
cards. Once the card numbers are provided, the scammer uses the balance,
leaving the victim with a worthless card.
How to avoid: Purchase
gift cards directly from reputable retailers and never use them as a form of
payment to unknown individuals.
