The holiday season is a time of joy, giving, and shopping. Unfortunately, it’s also prime time for scammers and fraudsters. Cybercriminals are crafting schemes to exploit your holiday spirit as you hunt for the best deals and perfect gifts.
This guide, which complements the one we distributed before Black Friday, will help you stay one step ahead.
From identifying red flags to recovering from fraud, we’ll share tips to ensure your shopping experience remains merry and bright. You’ll also learn about Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT), a free, trusted resource for protecting yourself online that includes GCA’s Cybersecurity Toolkits among its 3,500 solution inventory.
Understanding the Threat Landscape
The holiday season sees a surge in online shopping, making it the ideal hunting ground for scammers. Some of the most common scams include:
- Fake e-commerce sites: Fraudulent websites designed to mimic legitimate stores, tricking you into paying for items you’ll never receive.
- Phishing emails: Messages claiming to be from trusted retailers, offering too-good-to-be-true deals, or asking for payment information to “verify” orders.
- Social media scams: Ads or posts promoting incredible discounts that lead to malicious sites.
- Gift card fraud: Scammers requesting payments in gift cards or selling stolen or invalid ones.
- Fake holiday stamps: Beware of postage stamps sold on non-governmental websites.
According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), in its Global State of Scams Report 2024, global financial losses were approximately $1.03 trillion. This report includes information about many scams, such as investment fraud, shopping, and identity theft. Knowing about these threats is the first step to avoiding them.
Identifying Red Flags
Before you click “Buy Now,” here are some tips to spot a potential scam:
- Scrutinize URLs to be sure they are secure (HTTPS instead of HTTP)
- Be skeptical of deep discounts
- Verify seller legitimacy by checking for reviews and missing information
- Watch for grammatical errors
- Avoid urgent payment demands
- Stay alert and question anything that feels off
Tools to Stay Safe
The Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT) platform is here to protect you this holiday season:
- Website verification tools: Ensure you’re shopping on secure, legitimate sites.
- Password managers: Safeguard your accounts with strong, unique passwords.
- Phishing detection tips: Learn to identify and avoid fraudulent emails.
By visiting ACT, you can access these tools to shop more confidently.
What to Do If You’re a Victim
Falling victim to a scam can be stressful, but acting quickly can minimize damage. Here’s what to do:
- Secure your accounts: Change passwords for any compromised accounts immediately.
- Increase your account security: Add two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA/MFA).
- Contact your bank or credit card provider: Report unauthorized charges and request a freeze or reversal.
- Report the scam: Notify local and other relevant authorities.
- Monitor your financial statements and credit reports. Consider freezing your credit with the three major reporting bureaus if you find any suspicious activity.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The holidays should be a time of celebration, not stress. By staying vigilant and using trusted resources like Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT), you can protect yourself and your loved ones from scams.
Don’t let cybercriminals steal your holiday cheer.
