Scammers defrauded thousands of holiday shoppers through online scams, non-delivery schemes, and fake listings, resulting in substantial financial losses. The FBI reported almost 12,000 victims resulting in losses of over $73 million last holiday season due to scams, with thousands of victims falling prey to phishing emails, fake online stores, and fraudulent social media ads designed to deceive consumers into disclosing personal and financial information.
According to PR Newswire a Norton’s recent Cyber Safety Insights Report, as many as 48% of U.S. consumers report being targeted by a scam while holiday shopping online. Popular scams include enticing but fake online deals and non-existent shipping updates, with criminals commonly using social media, text messages, and emails to engage potential victims. Scams have become more sophisticated, utilizing trusted online platforms to lure unsuspecting shoppers with "too-good-to-be-true" deals.
Scammers often lure consumers to fake websites with deals that look legitimate. According to ZDNet "39% of the respondents said they fell victim to an online shopping scam, 26% to a phishing scam, and 23% to a package delivery scam." Always ensure websites use "https://" for security, and be wary of stores that lack detailed contact information or reviews.
Phishing scams are increasingly common, with 31% of online shoppers reporting fraud attempts disguised as shipping updates or holiday sales notifications reported from Norton. These fake messages often contain links that lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal information. Instead of clicking, go directly to the retailer’s official website to verify delivery status or account updates.
Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on financial accounts adds an extra layer of security, helping reduce the chance of unauthorized access. According to EnterpriseAppsToday, they found that only 45% of people are using MFA, though it remains one of the simplest ways to prevent scammers from accessing your accounts. A one-time code sent to your phone or email can be a crucial defense against password leaks.
Awareness and vigilance are key to safe holiday shopping. With as many as 62% are concerned about becoming victims of cybercrime this season according to PR Newswire, maintaining security practices like these can help reduce your risk of falling victim to scams. By following these strategies, you’ll be better prepared to protect your holiday purchases and prevent financial losses.
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