As the holiday season kicks into high gear, millions are gearing up for the biggest online shopping event of the year.
Cyber Monday promises the usual unbeatable deals and the convenience of shopping from home. But amidst the excitement, there’s a lurking danger that could turn your holiday cheer into a festive fear.
Shoppers beware: The hidden traps of online holiday deals
Every year, thousands fall victim to holiday scams, losing not only their hard-earned money but also their peace of mind. The FBI has issued an urgent warning to consumers: be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, because they often are.
In their recent press release, the FBI highlighted a surge in online scams during the holiday season.
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) 2023 report, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost people more than $281 million last year alone. Credit card fraud accounted for another $264 million in losses.
Common scams to watch out for include:
- Non-delivery scams: You pay for goods online, but they never arrive.
- Non-payment scams: You ship goods to a buyer, but payment is never received.
- Auction fraud: Items purchased are misrepresented or counterfeit.
- Gift card fraud: Sellers request payment via pre-paid gift cards and then disappear.
So stay vigilant before you hit the purchase button on the latest deal, and keep FBI’s advice to consumers:
- Practice good cybersecurity hygiene: Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments in emails, websites, or social media. Phishing scams often target your personal information.
- Know who you’re buying from: Verify websites by checking their URL (look for “https”) and researching reviews.
- Be cautious with payments: Avoid wiring money or using pre-paid gift cards. Instead, use credit cards for added security.
- Monitor shipments: Always get tracking numbers to confirm the delivery process.
The one mistake that could cost you this Cyber Monday
While the FBI focuses on scams, cybersecurity experts point out another critical error many shoppers make: neglecting to secure their personal information.
Public Wi-Fi networks, weak passwords, and overlooked software updates can make you an easy target for hackers. Shopping on unsecured networks or ignoring software updates leaves you vulnerable, and hackers are always looking for the path of least resistance.
Stay ahead of scammers and hackers by ensuring you shop on secure, private Wi-Fi connections, create strong and unique passwords for each account, and keep your devices and antivirus software up to date. Additionally, regularly review your bank and credit card statements for any suspicious activity to catch potential issues early.