The holidays are a time of joy and celebration, but unfortunately, they can also be a prime target for criminals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers.
Commonly referred to as Christmas scams, these schemes revolve around stealing your money or gifts.
Check Point Research recently highlighted three popular holiday scams that have been on the rise in recent years: change in banking details, delivery verification email scam, and failed delivery scam.
Common Holiday Scams
Change in Banking Details Scam: Criminals impersonate an employee and attempt to get Human Resources to change their banking details. During the holidays, this type of scam increases significantly. It is important that HR departments remain vigilant so as not to fall victim to these types of scams.
USPS, DHL, or UPS Verification Email Scam: Variations of this scam are quite common during the holidays. Criminals create fake emails that appear to be from a trusted delivery service and ask you to verify your details. This type of email is sent with malicious intent in order to steal your information and money.
Failed Delivery Scam: During the holidays, criminals know people make many purchases online, which creates a ripe opportunity for them. They send out an email explaining why a delivery couldn’t be made and provide a link so you can reschedule for a different date, but again, it takes you to a malicious website that captures your data.
How to Avoid Holiday Scams
In order to protect yourself against holiday scams, it is important to safeguard your personal information.
1) Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for better security whenever possible.
2) Avoid links and attachments you receive in unsolicited emails as these could infect your device with malware or even steal sensitive information.
3) Be wary of phishing emails around Christmas time that claim to have details about a purchase you’ve made.
4) Never enter any passwords or credit card numbers into any website unless you are absolutely sure of its legitimacy.
5) Finally, using a strong and unique password is essential, as well as having antivirus software updated and running on all your devices at all times.
In conclusion, the holidays are a prime time for scammers who will try to steal your money or gifts. It is important to remain vigilant and take steps to protect yourself from these types of scams.
So don’t let holiday scams ruin your Christmas spirit! Happy Holidays!
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