As we gear up for the shopping extravaganza of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the start of the Festive Season shopping, it's important to keep an eye out for those sneaky scams that might pop up amidst the fantastic deals. Basically, we’re saying less card swiping and more detective work!🕵️
Understanding the Scammers' Psychology
Scammers use emotional tricks to fool us. During the holiday hustle and bustle, they play on our feelings of rush, worry, and excitement. As we all scramble to snag great deals and hot items, we might drop our guard, making it easier for these tricksters to pounce. Learning how to spot these scams is your secret shield against becoming their next target.
The Top 3 Scams to Avoid
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Fake Order Scams It's easy to lose track of your orders. Scammers take advantage of this by sending phoney order confirmations via email or text. They might look real but can hide nasty stuff like malware or phishing links designed to snatch your identity. | Fake Website Scams Scammers blend in with legitimate companies by crafting fake emails and web links that look convincing. These tricky phishing emails can lead you to scammy websites, where they snatch up your login info and payment details. | Fake Discount Scams In this sneaky scheme, scammers dangle tempting discounts on hot products like a carrot on a stick. When you click their ads, they whisk you away to a fake website, aiming to swipe your personal and financial info. |
Alright Sherlock, so how do we stay safe during this busy season?
Stick with known, legitimate retailers online
Only shop from websites you trust—think of unfamiliar websites as the house at the end of the block that gives out raisins on Halloween. No thanks, sis!
Did I order this?
Keep an eye out for "https://"
Are you real or nah?
Keep your magnifying glass close!
Keep up with the times
A VPN is your best friend
Do your research
Beware of the mosquitoes
Report that shiz!
The best way to protect yourself while you make purchases this holiday season is to be vigilant. Don’t trust something if it seems too good to be true. At the same time, don’t let this fraud threat stop you from enjoying this time. Act smart, do your best to keep your personal information safe, and have a Merry Christmas!
GoldPhish educates end-users on the cyber threat and helps build more secure organisations with awareness training and simulated phishing
Get in touch for more information: info@goldphish.com