Source : Click Here
Cybersecurity experts are warning consumers to beware of online scams targeting holiday shoppers looking for bargains as the holiday shopping season approaches.
FOX 13 News reports that, as more people do their holiday shopping online, swindlers will continue to take advantage of the increase in consumer activity during holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The influx of holiday shoppers creates the perfect environment for scammers to take advantage of shoppers’ sense of urgency and excitement about getting a great deal on an item that will soon sell out or is only available for a limited time.
According to Bezalel Eithan Raviv, CEO of the Lionsgate Network, much of what consumers are seeing during the peak holiday shopping season is a scam. Companies are making their offers look unusually good to attract consumers, and then use deceptive tactics such as unrealistic discounts on items or offers of very low-priced gift cards to lure victims into purchasing.
Shoppers should also watch out for scammers who try to pressure them into making a decision quickly, by using downplaying the significance or consequences of taking time to evaluate the validity of the deal. Emotional triggers are commonly used to exploit victim’s decision making process – such as creating a sense of urgency, fear of missing out or charitable appeals.
Some people may believe that only older adults are victims of e-commerce scams, however age does not appear to be a factor as to who becomes a victim of cybercrime. Industry research shows that e-commerce scams are also targeting younger adults; many of whom are actively shopping online or exploring new digital payment systems.
Professionals in the cybersecurity field also indicated that the most recent wave of scams involving cryptocurrency is occurring, as victims enter the marketplace through an illegitimate source, purchase digital tokens or become involved in scams promising enormous returns on investment through buying and selling cryptocurrency.
To avoid becoming a victim, experts recommend the following precautions:
Examine carefully any deal that appears to be extremely attractive or unrealistic.
Do not respond to unsolicited deals or payment requests.
Before providing your personal information, verify the legitimacy of the website, email or message.
Research the vendor’s history and verify that the company is legitimate.
Experts indicate that legitimate brands do not typically contact consumers directly with unsolicited deals or require immediate payment for goods or services, however, if a consumer has any doubt, they should verify the company through its official website or by contacting its customer service department.
As consumers continue shopping online more frequently, awareness and caution will be necessary to avoid losing money and to protect their personal information during the holidays
