30 November 2016
There's something about the 'joy and goodwill' of the holiday season that makes us more susceptible to getting scammed!
Here's a timely reminder of the top 11 phishing scams to watch out for this Christmas.
Scams are a year-round threat, but during the holiday season, scammers often find more success in deceiving people. This increased susceptibility is due to several factors:
1. Fake Purchase Invoices: During the holidays, it's common to make numerous online purchases. Scammers take advantage of this by sending fake purchase receipts, hoping that the volume of orders will make you less vigilant. Be cautious of unexpected receipts from well-known companies, as they may lead to malware or phishing attempts.
2. Shipping Status Malware Messages: With many holiday orders being shipped, scammers send fake shipping notifications. Since you're expecting packages, you might be more inclined to click on these messages. However, beware of suspicious emails with vague wording, as they could contain malware.
3. Christmas Offer Emails: Your inbox will be flooded with holiday deals and promotions. While emails from reputable stores are usually safe, be cautious of unexpected offers from unknown sellers. Scammers may use these to execute phishing attacks or steal your money.
4. Fun Holiday Downloads: Scammers offer holiday-themed downloads like screensavers or animations, but these often contain malware. Download only from trusted sources to avoid unpleasant surprises.
5. Giving to Charity: The holiday spirit encourages charitable giving, but ensure your contributions reach legitimate charities. Avoid blindly trusting social media posts, emails, or phone calls. Research charities and donate directly to them.
6. Free Gift Card Surveys: Scammers send survey emails promising gift cards or money in exchange for personal information. These surveys are often a pretext for phishing attacks. Be cautious and never provide sensitive information.
7. Delivery & Postal Parcel Notifications: Hackers send phishing emails disguised as courier and postal service notifications. Don't click on attachments or links in such emails. Visit the courier's website and enter the tracking number yourself.
8. Holiday eCards: Be cautious about opening e-greetings, even if they appear to come from familiar sources. Hackers use spam emails to spread malicious greetings, potentially compromising your contact list and email account.
9. Holiday Job Offers: Be suspicious of job offers that seem too good to be true, especially those requiring no experience or offering high pay for minimal work. Such offers often lead to sites that collect your personal information.
10. 'Hard to Find' Items Still Available: Beware of offers for highly sought-after items that claim to have them in stock. These may lead to scams such as bait-and-switch tactics.
11. Smishing: Similar to phishing emails, smishing (phishing via text messages) attempts to trick you into providing personal information or account details through text messages. Treat text messages with the same caution as emails.
Stay vigilant during the holiday season, and if something seems suspicious, verify its legitimacy before taking any action. Scammers often exploit the holiday rush and goodwill, so it's crucial to protect yourself and your personal information..
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