What You Should Know About Cyber Scams During The Shopping Season

As more people love shopping online and payments are easier to transfer, cyber scams are also rising worldwide. Markets love to attract customers during the festival or holiday season to give the best deals. However, hackers also target such time to steal personal and financial information. 

Cyber scams have become so common that retailers and consumers must be aware of methods to prevent monetary loss. Phishers send fake emails or fraud links on the mobile, promising discounts with malware links. To stay aware of internet hoaxes and prevent them, you can check the Cyber Ghost’s post for detailed information. 

In this article, we will inform you about the different types of virtual thefts and how to save your wallet and private information from getting leaked into the wrong hands. 

Shopping Cyber Scams to Avoid 

Cybercriminals have become smarter and many use technology to create fake websites, emails, and messages sent with a spammed link. It is easier to lose money by falling prey to different types of attractive deals offered in an internet scam. 

Email Scams: Hackers acquire your email address and send a link that leads to their fake website. They replicate a well-known vendor’s web portal, but upon filling in all account details, you lose all your money. Some create empathetic imagery asking for donations for charity or relief, but they also lead to nowhere. Travel scams have become quite common, with great deals to exciting places that are all fake. 

Fake Mobile Messages: With so many mobile users, it becomes easier to get anyone’s number and send a notification asking for urgent retrieval of a package that you have never ordered. These messages could also be about updating your bank information, otherwise the account will be closed. People fall hard for such scams out of fear and become victims of cyber scams. 

Online Websites and Social Media Promotions: Phishers can create an entirely fraudulent website imitating a well-known store to lure customers. Nowadays, social media, especially Facebook and Instagram, are common to spread fake promotions and gift cards. 

DO YOU KNOW?
Using AI tools and software, cybercriminals replicate the victim’s voice, mimicking their tone and speech patterns. They call people in their family members and friends, tricking them to send money or share personal information.

How to Identify and Avoid Cyber Scams?

Cyber shopping scams are the highest during a festive or holiday season, such as the popular Black Friday Sale. They target vulnerable customers looking for deals and discounts. Here are some ways to identify and avoid cyber threats. 

• Always check the correct email and website address of a store carefully before clicking any link. Many hackers copy the logo colors and font to scam people. A clear indication of an authentic website is when the address has ‘HTTPS’ on it with a padlock icon beside it. 

• Never give out bank details to any caller acting like a bank executive. Check the official number of the bank and only then reply or respond to them. 

• Personal information like a customer ID or an identification card can also be stolen to create fear. Always inform cyber authorities instantly with a recording or any other detail about the fake call or message. 

• Install legitimate and robust antivirus software on your computer and mobile and keep them updated. 

• Use strong and unique passwords that are not related to your name or date of birth. 

• Many stores now offer multifactor authentication to prevent fraud. However, it is also significant to not respond to any unknown OTP that you have received. 

• Monitor bank statements regularly to check for any unknown activity or purchase that you haven’t done. 

• Use a credit card to make purchases from trusted vendor websites instead of any attachment sent randomly on your mobile. Apply a spending limit to a credit or debit card to avoid any misuse. 

The graph below is a clear indicator that as tech becomes more advanced, online thieves are using smarter ways to attract customers into losing their money and personal information. According to the latest report by Statista, cybercrime is expected to increase further in the coming years. 

Conclusion

As we enter the advanced digital era of automation and AI being used in every industry, cyber scams are spreading faster than any disease. The authorities and government must focus on how to identify online scammers and create strict laws for them. 

The holiday and shopping seasons spread joy, and more people are vulnerable to falling victim to online fraud. Store-bought cards are also helpful in preventing scams as they have a set limit, plus they offer cashback and discounts for regular customers. 

The suggestions mentioned here will come in handy to understand the different types of internet scams. Staying updated with tech frauds and informing the authorities is the best way to prevent financial loss.

Also Read: How To Shop Safely Online 

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