3 Online Holiday Shopping Scams
- 11 years ago
With this year’s holiday sales estimated at more than 600 billion dollars and online shopping increasing 15 percent, consumers are urged to protect their personal information, electronic devices, and hard-earned cash.
Holidays are coming, which means it's time to shop. With this year’s holiday sales estimated at more than 600 billion dollars and online shopping increasing 15 percent, consumers are urged to protect their personal information, electronic devices, and hard-earned cash.
Here are 3 scams to be aware of:
Number 3 – Fake Sites – Websites can impersonate a well-known retailer while using a slightly different address name, or an unknown smaller webstore, to offer unbelievable coupons or product savings, especially for hot gift items such as electronics and toys. Any identification and credit card information entered is stolen.
Number 2 – Malicious Links – You can also lose personal information in addition to your electronics’ functionality by clicking a link that downloads a virus or other spyware onto your PC, tablet, or phone. Texts, emails, and Facebook posts can all have links disguised as contests, greeting cards, delivery notices, and more. Online games and mobile apps can also install malware.
Number 1 – Fake Gift Card Deals – You may get an email or text, or see an online ad on a social media site that offers you, for example, a $25 gift card for $10. The links and sites will prompt you to enter personal information in order to receive the deal, but you’re only buying fake cards.
Holidays are coming, which means it's time to shop. With this year’s holiday sales estimated at more than 600 billion dollars and online shopping increasing 15 percent, consumers are urged to protect their personal information, electronic devices, and hard-earned cash.
Here are 3 scams to be aware of:
Number 3 – Fake Sites – Websites can impersonate a well-known retailer while using a slightly different address name, or an unknown smaller webstore, to offer unbelievable coupons or product savings, especially for hot gift items such as electronics and toys. Any identification and credit card information entered is stolen.
Number 2 – Malicious Links – You can also lose personal information in addition to your electronics’ functionality by clicking a link that downloads a virus or other spyware onto your PC, tablet, or phone. Texts, emails, and Facebook posts can all have links disguised as contests, greeting cards, delivery notices, and more. Online games and mobile apps can also install malware.
Number 1 – Fake Gift Card Deals – You may get an email or text, or see an online ad on a social media site that offers you, for example, a $25 gift card for $10. The links and sites will prompt you to enter personal information in order to receive the deal, but you’re only buying fake cards.