Holiday Cheer? More like Holiday Crime Sprees

Holiday seasons come with cheer, love, joy, and peace on earth… but that’s not all. The holidays are often the time when criminals are the most active, taking advantage of seasonal generosity and innocent citizens looking to invest some serious money in gifts for their loved ones. With refining technology and online shopping hitting all-time highs as we move into next month, we’ve collected some of the most common online holiday cyber scams that also see rising usage throughout winter. Keep an eye out for any of the following, and always remain vigilant about where you spend your money and where you enter your data.

1. Fake Holiday Shopping Deals

With the rise of online shopping during winter holidays, cybercriminals often create fake websites or social media ads promising massive discounts. These scams aim to lure unsuspecting shoppers into entering personal information, such as credit card details or addresses. Always verify the legitimacy of a website before making a purchase. Stick to well-known retailers, check for “https” in the web address, and read reviews before buying. Many of these fake online shops have a webpage history of existing for only a few months, or less.

2. Phishing Emails

Winter is also a peak time for phishing emails, where scammers impersonate legitimate companies or even your bank. These emails often claim to offer “urgent” holiday promotions, delivery issues, or prize claims. They ask recipients to click on links or open attachments that can steal personal information or install malware. Always be skeptical of unsolicited messages, and never click on links or download attachments from unknown senders. Double check the sender information by looking at their actual email address, as they often use realistic names that may be familiar to you just in the display names on emails.

3. Travel Scams

Planning a winter getaway? Beware of travel-related scams that offer too-good-to-be-true deals on flights, hotels, or vacation packages. Scammers may create fake booking websites or send emails offering heavily discounted vacation packages to steal your personal and financial information. Use reputable travel agencies, and double-check hotel and flight reservations directly through official channels.

4. Charity Scams

The winter months are a time when many people give to charity. Unfortunately, this is also when fake charities pop up, preying on your generosity. Scammers may pose as charitable organizations asking for donations to help victims of winter disasters or the homeless. Always research the charity before donating. Look for official registration numbers and read reviews. Alternatively, there’s been a high number of charity scams reported lately that also offer help for issues like winter heating costs and bill relief. If it sounds too good to be true, do your research!

5. Shipping and Delivery Scams

Around the holidays, fake shipping notifications flood inboxes and text messages. Scammers send emails or texts pretending to be delivery services like FedEx, UPS, or USPS, claiming there’s an issue with your package or asking you to confirm shipping details. Clicking on these links may lead to phishing websites or trigger malware downloads. Many scams also suggest that there’s a small import fee still waiting to be paid that seems insignificant and unsuspicious, but these are generally just to steal credit card information or skim small amounts of money from large amounts of people. Always verify delivery statuses directly through the official carrier’s website.

If you’re suspicious of communication you’ve received online, or you’re uncertain if something truly is too good to be true, always try to ask a local expert on whether or not a link or website can be trusted! If you have an IT Consultancy company like 10-100 or an IT Team managing your work devices, you’re in good hands to question a link or website before you proceed with any business-related expenses or spending for the approaching months. With these scams in mind, stay safe through the coming weeks and have a happy, safe holiday shopping period!