The holiday season is a time for family and friends. It’s a season where you can kick back and relax. But the holiday season is also a time for internet scams. It’s a time when you can be caught off guard.
Criminals know that people are more vulnerable during the holiday season. Take note of the following scams that are increasingly common at this time of year:
Imitation Websites
Copycat websites are a new development in internet scams. Cyber scammers replicate a website to look exactly like the original. Popular websites such as Amazon, Twitter, and Facebook are popular copycat sites.
How can you prevent falling for this scam? Well, if you’re a regular user of the website, you may notice certain nuances that aren’t the same. Be sure to check out the URL. If it’s not the exact website URL of the company site you intended to visit, close the page immediately.
Fake Online Advertisements
Fake advertisements are on the rise for internet scams. Cybercriminals use fake ads to promote their websites. Be sure to check the URL of any advertisement you click on. Don’t trust any advertisement you see without a thorough investigation.
Fake Gift Cards
Everyone loves receiving a gift, and internet scammers know it. Holiday time is gift time, with many online gifts being sent to loved ones. It’s so easy to send a virtual gift card. But how do you know that the gift card you’re receiving is legit? Before clicking on an email with a gift, be sure to check the authenticity of the sender. If it’s not from an email you recognize, you should be suspicious. No stranger will send you a gift without trying to get something from you.
Protecting your personal information is always of the utmost importance. If you’re still not sure if it’s real, you can send a simple reply to the email, perhaps to thank the sender. Never hand over additional personal information in an email. If it looks fake, it probably is, and it’s best to delete It.
Charity Schemes
Many people want to be generous over the holiday season. We’re often reminded to open up our hearts to give to those less fortunate. While giving to charity is meaningful, make sure you don’t fall for an internet scam. If you see a charity advertised online, or receive an email from a charity, it’s best to validate it.
Firstly, check if the charity is registered. You can access the IRS charity database to do this. If it’s not listed, this should be a warning sign. You can also try calling the charity, or even visiting the charity if they’re in your area.
Package Delivery Scams
E-commerce is a huge industry in the US. A big part of online shopping is package delivery. We’re all familiar with delivery tracking messages that keep us updated. Internet scammers know this and are targeting unsuspecting shoppers with fake messages.
Fake text messages are one of the main platforms scammers are using. The text is designed to look legit, with a familiar company name and tracking number. But there will be a link included in the message, and that’s how scammers get you. Clicking on the link can compromise your phone’s security. This may even lead to the share of sensitive information. Be wary of clicking on any links until you’re completely sure of the validity of the message.
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