How to Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams this Festive Season
The festive season is a time for celebration, joy, and togetherness, where people immerse themselves in the blissful spirit of the holidays. Unfortunately, it is also a prime opportunity for cyber criminals to exploit the holiday rush and trick unsuspecting individuals into falling for phishing scams. In fact, during the festive season, cyber criminals tend to intensify their efforts, capitalising on the increase in digital engagement.
Cyber criminals exploit the advantage of the surge in email traffic by spoofing legitimate communications and embedding malicious links and attachments. They deceive individuals into opening files or clicking on links that contain malware, compromising security with just a momentary lapse in vigilance. The urgency often conveyed in these messages, such as limited-time offers or account verification requests, can further entice users to act without due diligence.
Let’s explore how to recognise and protect yourself from phishing scams to enjoy a safe and secure holiday season.
Common Holiday Phishing Scams
Cyber criminals ramp up their efforts to exploit the increased volume of online shopping and charitable donations. Here are some of the common phishing prevalent during the holiday season.
Fake Order Receipts
Fake order receipts are one of the widespread phishing scams during the holiday season. In this scam, cyber criminals impersonate popular retailers, such as Amazon or Walmart, to create fake emails that claim to be order confirmations. The goal behind such goals is to create panic, often from people who didn’t make any purchases. They usually contain links or attachments that lead to malicious websites or fake sign-in forms to steal login credentials.
Spoofed Tracking Shipments
Spoofed tracking shipments are another common phishing scam prevalent during the festive season. With the rise in online shopping, consumers frequently receive order tracking notifications via email and SMS. Cyber criminals exploit this trend by sending fake tracking links that appear to be from legitimate logistics companies such as FedEx or DHL. These fraudulent emails trick recipients into believing they are receiving standard tracking updates. Scammers often create links that direct victims to fraudulent websites, where they request personal information or credit card details. In some cases, malware is silently downloaded onto the victim’s device when the link is clicked.
Falsified Charitable Contributions
The holiday season is synonymous with charitable giving, making it a prime time for scammers to exploit generous spirits. They send phishing emails or create fake websites that look like legitimate charities, tricking people into making fraudulent donations. These fake donation requests often use emotional appeals, claiming urgent needs or promoting specific charitable causes. Scammers may attempt to steal money directly through fake payment portals or harvest sensitive financial data like credit card details. To avoid falling victim, research charities before donating and ensure the donation link is from an official, well-known site.
Ways to Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams
It’s important to maintain a proactive approach to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. Here are some measures individuals should take to avoid falling victim to holiday phishing scams.
Practice Good Cyber Security Hygiene
Good cyber security is the best approach to maintaining a strong defence against phishing scams. Avoid clicking any emails and texts that you suspect of fraud or an untrusted source. If you receive an email from a company, search for their official URL through a browser rather than clicking the provided link. Additionally, never disclose sensitive information, such as login credentials, bank account, or credit card details. Legitimate organisations, such as banks or online retailers, will never ask for such information through email. Be cautious when encountering unexpected or suspicious attachments, as they may contain malware.
Know Your Buyer/Seller
Individuals should conduct basic research before purchasing from a business first time, confirming their legitimacy before moving forward. Check the legitimacy of a business or a website by confirming it for HTTPS encryption, which ensures the site is secure. Reading customer reviews and looking for any red flags can also help confirm the legitimacy of the seller. Refrain from sharing personal or financial information until you are confident the seller is trustworthy.
Use Secure Payment Methods
It’s crucial to choose the secured payment method when purchasing online. Be cautious when asked to pay for purchases using pre-paid gift cards. Scammers frequently ask victims to buy gift cards, such as Google Play or iTunes cards, and send them the card details along with the PIN. Once you send the gift card information, the scammer takes your money without delivering the item. A legitimate business will never ask for payment in gift cards. When shopping online, use a credit card as it often offers fraud protection.
Be Cautious of Lucrative Deals
During the holiday season, it’s tempting to act quickly when you see deeply discounted prices on high-demand products, such as electronics or gadgets. However, if a deal seems too good to be true, it often is. Scammers frequently create fake offers with extremely low prices to entice victims into clicking on malicious links. Always approach such “too good to be true” offers with scepticism and do additional research to ensure the deal is legitimate.
Conclusion
The festive season is a perfect time to cheer and get involved in celebration. Don’t let fraudsters ruin your holiday season by defrauding or stealing your identity. By learning to spot the warning signs of common holiday scams, you can protect yourself and your family from becoming victims. Stay vigilant and informed about the tactics scammers use, and take steps to secure your personal information. By doing so, you can enjoy a safer and more peaceful holiday season.
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