Consumers Beware of Online Christmas Criminals

As holiday shoppers across the nation work on their shopping lists and prepare to dive into Black Friday deals, cyber-criminals are also getting prepared to take advantage of harried consumers who are more concerned with getting all the gifts than they are with their personal security. Online shoppers are at risk for losing money thanks to carefully masterminded plans of attack which allow them to gain access to personal, credit card, and banking information.

Here is a list of the top 6 scams of the online holiday shopping season:

The Invoice Fake-Out
This scam involves thieves sending fake invoices or package delivery confirmation emails that look like they are from major shipping agencies or the US Post Office. These emails will request that customers input credit card information or open an online account in order to get their package delivered properly. That information is then used to gain access to confidential account information and steal money or identities.

A Not-So-Merry Greeting Card
Emailed greeting cards are a popular way to share holiday thoughts with family and friends but criminals are using them to their own advantage. An email is generated and sent out that includes a link which contains malware. When the card recipients click on the link, they are putting themselves at risk. This is an especially tricky scam because so many people are trying to save money by cutting back on extras like greeting cards so it may be natural to think an ecard from Cousin Jean is perfectly reasonable.

Open Airwaves Are Dangerous
Hackers can tap into open WiFi networks or open public computers and steal the information they are able to view. When shopping online, make sure you make purchases from secure computers and secure sites.

Friendly Networking
Social media sites are a so popular these days, it can be easy to fall for a ‘friend request’ email that appear to be from one of the many well-known websites. The emails will request you click on a link to ‘accept’ the request but in doing so, malware can automatically be installed on your computer to steal your personal information.

Not-So-Jolly Holiday Sites
Criminals will often create websites that appear to be selling special holiday-themed products such as ringtones or screensavers. When you purchase and download the files, your computer can be infected with malware or other dangerous programs that can steal your personal information or crash your computer.

Banking Heists
While this scam happens at all times of the year, the holidays are an especially vulnerable time to perform this maneuver. An email is sent out that looks officially like something your bank would send to customers. However, the email instructs readers to enter personal banking information in order to confirm their account, otherwise the account will no longer be accessible. This kind of email can scare consumers into doing as they are told for fear of not being able to access money during the holidays. Remember that no legitimate bank or business will ever ask you to submit confidential information via an email. If you are unsure, contact your bank directly. 

Here is a quick reference list of how to protect yourself online during the holidays and at any time:

• Never click on an links in an email. Contact the company directly if an email is asking for information.
• Use your head and remember the old saying ‘if it looks too good to be true, it probably is”.
• Update your security software on your computer frequently so you are fully protected at all times.
• Shop only on websites and networks that are secured. If you have a WiFi network, be sure to password-protect it.
• Change passwords and make them strong. Don’t use obvious words to create passwords. Instead use a combination of numbers, letter, and symbols to secure your information.