Stay Safe from Holiday Phishing Scams Online and Offline

Holiday phishing scams are a serious threat to your financial security, and they're not just online. In fact, a recent study found that 71% of consumers reported receiving holiday-related phishing emails in 2022.

Be cautious of emails that ask you to click on links or download attachments, as they can contain malware that can steal your personal and financial information.

Phishing scammers often use social engineering tactics to trick you into divulging sensitive information, such as your password or credit card number.

Make sure to verify the authenticity of any emails or messages you receive, especially if they're asking for sensitive information.

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Scammers are counting on you to click on links in fake delivery notifications this holiday season.

During the holiday season, scammers send fake delivery notifications by email and text, hoping you'll click on a link to update your address or zip code. If you click, scammers could get information like your usernames and passwords for your online banking, email, or social media accounts.

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To avoid fake shipping notification scams, don't click on links in messages about an unexpected delivery. If you get a message about an unexpected package delivery that tells you to click on a link for some reason, don't click.

Scammers create a sense of urgency by saying if you don't respond right away, they'll return your package to the sender. This is a phishing scam, designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

To stay safe, contact the shipping company directly to get more information. If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the shipping company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don't use the information in the message.

Here are some tips to help you avoid fake shipping notification scams:

Phishing scams are a common tactic used by scammers during the holiday season. Scammers can try to trick you into opening malicious email attachments to infect your device with malware.

Check your accounts frequently. This will help you catch any unauthorized charges before they get out of hand. I've seen friends get hit with big charges on their credit cards and it's a real hassle to deal with.

Be wary of requests for information. Legitimate businesses won't ask you to verify your delivery address or confirm your purchase or account through text or email. It's a common scam tactic to trick you into giving away sensitive info.

Notify the financial institution immediately if you see any unauthorized charges. Don't wait, as this can help minimize the damage and prevent further unauthorized transactions.

Online shopping can be a convenient and fun way to find gifts for loved ones, but it's essential to be aware of the risks involved. Scammers are always looking for ways to exploit unsuspecting shoppers, and the holiday season is a prime time for them to strike.

Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Cybercriminals create fake online retail stores that feature stolen logos, lookalike domains, and sophisticated designs to mimic legitimate retailers. These fake sites can be created in seconds using generative AI, making them nearly indistinguishable from the real thing.

Access retailers' official websites directly, rather than clicking on embedded links, to avoid falling victim to phishing scams. If you receive a message that demands immediate action, it's likely a scam. Verify sender identities through alternative channels, and always hover over email addresses to reveal the sender's full information.

Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to your online transactions. Be wary of messages that create a sense of urgency, as scammers often use this tactic to get you to click on a link or provide sensitive information.

Here are some tips to help you stay safe while online shopping:

Be cautious of fake travel deals that arrive in phishing emails, often leading to phony travel websites. These scams can be difficult to spot, even with the help of AI tools that generate grammatically accurate emails.

Cybercriminals are also targeting package deliveries, posing as shipping providers like USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL. They'll send you a message about a failed delivery attempt, asking for personal info or a link to reschedule.

Verify any shipping notifications with the courier company, and avoid clicking on links provided in the email.

Fake shipping notifications are a common scam during the holiday season. Scammers often impersonate trusted shipping companies like UPS, FedEx, DHL, or USPS.

They'll send you an email or SMS message claiming there's a problem with your shipment, such as a delivery failure or incomplete delivery information. These messages usually prompt you to "schedule the delivery" and provide a link to a phishing website.

The goal is to infect your device with malware and hijack your personal information. Legitimate companies will never ask you to click on a link to resolve a shipping issue.

If you receive a suspicious message, verify it with the courier company instead of clicking on links. Be cautious and don't let fear drive your actions.

Travel scams are a real concern during the holiday season. Attackers often offer fake travel deals, vacation packages, or discounted accommodations in phishing emails.

Fake travel booking sites are another common tactic used by cybercriminals. These sites may spoof well-known online travel agencies and offer seemingly incredible package deals.

With the rise of AI, these scams have become more sophisticated. Attackers can now use GenAI to create convincing phishing lures in multiple languages.

Cybercriminals can generate grammatically accurate, credible-looking emails that impersonate major airlines. These emails often include logos, high-quality images, and grammatically accurate language to make them appear legitimate.

You'll often receive these fake travel offers in phishing emails, but some may lead you to a phony travel website. Be cautious of these offers, as they can lead to paying more than the advertised price or receiving invalid reservations.

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Job and charity scams are a major concern during the holiday season. December is a high season for job seekers, and scammers exploit this by offering fake job opportunities, pretending to be recruiters and requesting personal information or payment for training materials.

If you receive a job offer, verify its legitimacy by contacting the company through their official channels. Don't fall for fake job offers, as they can lead to identity theft and financial loss.

Charity scams are another form of holiday phishing, where scammers tap into people's generosity to steal money and personal information. Fake organizations are established to exploit the public's goodwill, and victims are pressured to make immediate donations.

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Job Offer scams are rampant during the holiday season. December is a high season for job seekers, and scammers are taking advantage of this by offering fake job opportunities.

Scammers often pretend to be recruiters, requesting personal information or even payment for training materials. This is a red flag, as legitimate companies will never ask for payment or sensitive info upfront.

To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of a job offer by contacting the company through their official channels. Don't rely on phone calls or emails from unknown senders.

Be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true, as they often are. Scammers will try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly without thinking.

Charity scams are a serious concern, especially during the holiday season. Scammers know people are more generous during this time, so they take advantage of them.

Scammers often establish fake organizations to exploit public goodwill, and government entities like the IRS and FTC have issued warnings about these organizations. They refuse to provide detailed information about themselves, which is a major red flag.

Legitimate charities welcome donations at any time, and they're transparent about their operations. They don't pressure people to make immediate donations.

One common charity scam is the fraudulent toy donation campaign. Victims are asked to provide personal information, then pressured to share their credit card details or make wire transfers to fake accounts.

If this caught your attention, see: Usps Warns of Smishing Scams during the Holiday Season

Be careful of offers or deals that seem too good to be true. These are often a sign of a scam.

Access retailers' official websites directly; don't click on embedded links. This will help you avoid phishing scams that try to trick you into revealing sensitive information.

Beware of any message that demands immediate action. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly without thinking.

Verify sender identities through alternative channels. Don't just trust the name or email address in the message.

Always hover over email addresses to reveal the sender's full information—and catch any display name spoofing. This is a simple trick to check if the email is legitimate.

Focus on the message's intent rather than grammar or spelling; these traditional red flags are now a lot less reliable. Scammers are getting better at writing convincing messages.

Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.

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Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

Trust your gut. If something seems off, it probably is. Don't be afraid to walk away from a deal that feels suspicious.

Tech support scams are a common holiday phishing scam tactic. They often start with an unsolicited email or phone call claiming to be from a reputable tech company.

Legitimate tech support companies will never contact you out of the blue. They'll only reach out if you've initiated contact or have a pre-existing relationship with them.

Some scammers will ask for remote access to your computer or payment for their services. Be wary of these requests and never give in to them.

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Tech support scams are becoming more prevalent during the holiday season.

Legitimate tech support companies will not contact their customers unsolicited. They usually only reach out to you if you've initiated contact or have an existing service agreement.

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Some scammers will pose as tech support representatives from reputable companies and inform you about issues with your device. They might claim your device is infected with malware or has other problems.

These scammers will often request remote access to your computer to "help" you resolve the issue. Be cautious of anyone asking for remote access or payment for a service you didn't request.

It's essential to be aware of these tactics and take steps to protect yourself.

As the holiday season approaches, be on the lookout for AI-enhanced scams that are more sophisticated and difficult to spot than their traditional counterparts.

AI-driven threats are a new breed of holiday scams.

These threats are much like the threats we see every holiday season, but with a twist.

One popular AI-enhanced scam to watch out for is the fake charity scam.

Keep your eye out for these four popular scams, and be cautious of any suspicious emails or messages that ask for donations.

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