How to avoid Christmas shopping scams
Each year, the joy of shopping during Black Friday and Christmas is accompanied by an increased risk of falling victim to online shopping scams. The surge in online shopping avenues has made these periods lucrative for scammers, with November and December witnessing a spike in fraudulent activities.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this trend, pushing more shoppers towards online platforms when physical stores were inaccessible. Even with the pandemic behind us, worrying last year statistics show that 30% of all shopping scams occurred while shopping online. Besides money, scammers often go after personal information, particularly data that leads to immediate financial gains like credit card details or online banking credentials.
The holiday season is supposed to be a time of joy and giving, but unfortunately, scammers are ready to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. To protect yourself and ensure a safe shopping experience, it is important to be aware of common Christmas shopping scams and take necessary precautions.
In this article, we’ll reveal various types of online shopping frauds to watch out for and provide tips on how to avoid falling victim to these devious schemes.
What are the most common Christmas sale scams?
During the holiday season, scammers employ various tactics to deceive shoppers and steal their money or personal information. Here are some of the most common Christmas shopping scams you should be aware of.
Fake online shops
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in creating fake online shops that imitate legitimate ones or offer incredibly tempting deals. These fake shops often advertise popular products at unbelievably low prices, enticing shoppers to make hasty purchases. However, once buyers make payments, scammers disappear into thin air.
In addition to simply stealing money, fake online shops can also be used to obtain personal information. Scammers may request credit card details, name, email address, physical address, and phone number under the guise of processing the order. This personal data is highly valuable and can be sold to various third parties for marketing purposes or even used for further scams.
Phishing emails
Phishing emails are another common tactic employed by scammers during the holiday season. These fraudulent emails are designed to appear as if they're sent by legitimate online shops (such as Amazon), tricking recipients into giving away personal information or login credentials. The emails often contain urgent requests, such as claiming there is a problem with your account, a suspicious purchase, or a need to verify information.
To make these phishing emails appear convincing, scammers use logos, formatting, and language that resemble those reputable online shops. However, it's important to note that legitimate online shops will never ask for sensitive information via email, such as passwords or credit card details.
It's worth adding that phishing attempts can also occur through phone calls, SMS, or even in person. Scammers are constantly finding new ways to exploit unsuspecting shoppers, so it's important to stay vigilant and skeptical of all requests for personal information.
Other dangers of online shopping
Apart from fake online shops and phishing emails, there are other Christmas shopping scams you should be aware of:
- Fake charities. As Christmas is often associated with various charities and acts of giving, scammers go as far as creating phony charities en masse. They exploit people's goodwill and willingness to donate by setting up fake charity websites or soliciting donations through email or even social media. Similarly to fake online shops, these fake charities can go after both your money and personal information.
- Counterfeit products. Fake products are low-quality imitations of well-known brands. Scammers always sell these products online, often at extremely attractive prices, but the quality and authenticity are compromised, to say the least. It's important to be extra cautious when shopping for popular brands and be sure to shop at known and reputable vendors.
- Fake Delivery. People often receive deceptive messages on messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and even SMS, claiming a delivery needs rescheduling or additional information. These messages may appear to come from legitimate delivery services or online shops. However, they are actually attempts to lure victims into fake delivery websites that harvest personal information or even ask for unauthorized payments for delivery.
How to identify and prevent scams
Now that you are aware of the common online shopping scams, let's look at the best methods to protect yourself from fraud.
Verify URL security
One of the easiest ways to identify secure websites is to check the URL. Essentially, it means that you should check if the website's URL starts with "https://" instead of "http://". The "s" indicates a secure connection, reducing the risk of data interception. Before entering any personal or financial information on a website, always check for this secure connection.
Carefully examine URLs
Scammers often create fake online shops with URLs that closely resemble those of reputable brands. They may use deceptive tactics such as replacing letters with numbers or using similar-looking characters, like using "1" for "L" or "0" for "O". As such, always take the time to carefully read the website URL for any deceptive similarities to well-known brands.
Stay vigilant against phishing emails
Phishing emails are designed to mimic reputable online shops and trick you into revealing personal information. Here are 3 tips to help you identify and avoid falling for phishing scams:
- Be cautious of emails that ask for personal information or contain suspicious links. Real online shops will never ask for sensitive information via email.
- Look out for obvious signs, such as poor grammar and spelling mistakes, generic greetings, or urgent requests for immediate action.
- Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments from unverified emails. These almost always lead to the theft of personal information or the installation of malware on your device.
Avoid shortened links or QR codes in public spaces
Shortened links and QR codes are widely used in marketing materials and online promotions. However, they can also be used by scammers to redirect you to harmful websites or phishing pages. Be cautious when encountering shortened links or scanning QR codes, especially in public places where the source and destination may be questionable.
Refrain from payments on public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in coffee shops, malls, or airports, are often unsecured and highly vulnerable. This makes them prime targets for hackers to intercept data transmitted over such networks. It’s a good idea to avoid any financial transactions or entering sensitive information when connected to public Wi-Fi. And if you must make a purchase, consider using your mobile data or a secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet connection and enhance security.
Use temporary emails or guest checkout
To protect your primary email from spam and potential phishing attempts, consider using temporary email accounts when signing up for online shopping platforms. Additionally, take advantage of guest checkout options whenever it’s possible. Guest checkout allows you to make a purchase without creating an account, minimizing the amount of personal information you need to provide.
Check online reviews
Before making a purchase from an online shop, take some time to check for online reviews. Genuine customer reviews can often provide valuable insights into the reputation and reliability of the shop. Look for reviews on trusted platforms or search engines to get a better understanding of other people's experiences.
Use strong and unique passwords
Creating strong, unique passwords is crucial for protecting all your online accounts. First and foremost, avoid using easily guessable passwords, such as your name or birthdate (and don’t get me started on “password” or “123456789”). Instead, use a good combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Moreover, ensure that you use different passwords for different accounts. This way, if one account is compromised, others will still remain secure.
Utilize a virtual private network
A VPN is a tool that boosts security and anonymity by masking your real IP address and encrypting your internet connection. By using a VPN, your data moves through a secure tunnel, making it difficult for hackers or scammers to intercept and virtually impossible to access. Most importantly, consider using reputable VPN services when shopping online, especially when connected to public Wi-Fi networks.
The best VPNs for this job usually offer more than just online anonymity and pack loads of extra security features. For example, top VPN services, like NordVPN, include ad & tracker blockers, malware filters, and much more to make your online presence as clean and safe as possible.
What should you do if you got scammed while shopping online?
Despite taking precautions, it's still possible to fall victim to more intricate shopping scams floating around the net. If you find yourself in such a situation, here are some steps you should take to minimize any damage.
Contact your bank or credit card provider
If you have been scammed and made a payment with your credit card or provided your banking information, contact your bank or credit card provider immediately. Inform them about the fraudulent transaction and request to secure your accounts to prevent unauthorized access or further transactions.
Report the incident to authorities
Reporting the incident to the relevant authorities helps in tracking down the scammers and raising awareness to prevent similar scams in the future. Contact your local law enforcement agency or consumer protection agency to file a report. Provide them with any relevant information, such as emails, transaction records, or website URLs, to assist in their investigation.
Maintain thorough records
Keep all communications and transaction records associated with the scam. These records can be crucial for the investigation and potential recovery efforts. Save emails, chat conversations, receipts, and any other evidence that may help you or the authorities in resolving the situation.
Closely monitor your accounts
After a scam, it's important to closely monitor your financial accounts for any signs of unauthorized activity. Regularly check your bank statements, credit card statements, and online payment accounts to ensure that no additional fraudulent transactions have occurred. If necessary, consider placing a fraud alert on your accounts to add an extra layer of security.
Change passwords and use two-factor authentication
As a precautionary measure, make new strong passwords for all your online accounts, especially those associated with the scam. Additionally, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 2FA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a unique code sent to your mobile device, when logging into your accounts.
Share your experience
Sharing your experience can help raise awareness and protect others from falling victim to the same scam. Consider reporting the incident on consumer protection websites, online forums, or social media platforms. By sharing details of the scam, you can help others recognize and avoid similar fraud schemes.
Learn from the situation
Being scammed can be a frustrating and disheartening experience, but it's important to learn from it. Reflect on what led to the scam and identify any warning signs or red flags that you may have missed. Of course, be sure to use this knowledge and become a more informed and cautious shopper in the future.
Conclusion
Shopping during the holiday season should be joyous, not marred by scams. While Christmas shopping scams are prevalent, staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions can protect you from substantial money loss or data theft. Moreover, try out secure VPNs, such as NordVPN, to safeguard your festive purchases and ensure a secure online shopping experience.
Remember, awareness and proactive measures are your strongest defense against any Christmas shopping scams. Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy a safe and secure shopping experience for your holiday.
Have you ever fallen victim to shopping scams? How did you handle the situation? Let us know by leaving a comment!
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