Scam City: Staying Cyber Secure During the Holidays

Is that Santa... or a Grinch in disguise? Let's ensure the joy of holiday shopping remains untainted by the threat of scammers. With a growing number of holiday shoppers turning to online retailers for their purchases each year, it's imperative that we safeguard ourselves against unscrupulous elements. Below, I've outlined some of the latest scams and suggested measures to mitigate their impact.

Missing package/Package delivery scams over text messages often involve fraudsters sending messages that mimic legitimate delivery services. You receive a text message claiming to be from a well-known delivery service such as UPS, FedEx, or DHL. The message states that a delivery was attempted but unsuccessful due to an absence or another reason. The biggest red flag is if they require URGENT action and trick you into clicking a link. They use urgency to pressure victims into taking hasty actions. Their links and attachments usually contain malware that is designed to steal your personal information. 

Gift Card Scams involve tricking victims into purchasing gift cards and providing the scammer with the card numbers or PINs. Scammers may impersonate government agencies, businesses, tech support or even friends and family and claim that you owe money or have won a prize and need to pay them urgently. 

Social media platforms have become fertile ground for various scams due to their widespread usage and the ease of reaching potential victims. Look for Phishing scams that create fake social media accounts that mimic legitimate organizations, brands, or friends. Recognize fake contests and giveaways that ask you to click links that lead to websites containing malware or unwanted advertisements. 

Fake Charities, people taking advantage of generosity, scammers will use aggressive or emotional appeals to pressure you into a quick donation. They will usually lack transparency and not really tell you about their mission, programs or how the donations will be used. To avoid falling victim to fake charity scams, research the charity, donate directly and be skeptical if something seems too good to be true. 

Fake Online Stores or Look-alike websites that offer steep discounts are aimed at stealing your money or personal information. To spot them, the most obvious indicator is a suspicious domain name; always double-check the URL for misspellings or inconsistencies. If they are offering “too good to be true” prices, it’s a red flag. Also, look at the quality of the website design; legitimate online stores invest in professional website design. Look for spelling errors, poor grammar, and low-quality images.   

Things you can do to prevent being scammed:

• Refrain from responding to calls originating from unfamiliar numbers.
• If an individual purporting to be a relative exhibits unusual behavior, terminate the call.
• Confirm the authenticity of the caller by consulting other family members.
• Exercise caution when sharing personal details on social networking platforms.
• Prioritize caution by refraining from disclosing personal information over the phone until the caller's identity has been confirmed.

Spread awareness and educate friends and families; awareness is key!