According to SEPE, the Christmas season is a golden time for cybercriminals. Fraudsters take advantage of the rush and excitement of consumers to defraud unsuspecting victims. From fake gift cards to charity scams, the holiday season holds risks that require caution and awareness.

There are many reasons for the increase in online fraud during Christmas, such as the increase in online shopping as more consumers shop online, giving fraudsters more access to potential victims.

From fake gift cards to charity scams, the festive season is full of dangers

Also, offers that seem too good to be true are often used to lure victims, consumers’ good intentions for charity and donations are targeted by fake charities, and the stress and rush of the holidays make people more vulnerable .

In detail, as ESET points out, among the ten scams that consumers should watch out for this holiday season are fake gift cards. Scammers sell counterfeit or stolen gift cards at attractive prices or present them as a “prize” to extract personal information. Another pitfall concerns fake websites, which impersonate popular online stores, steal financial and personal data, but also advertisements on social media, which promise products at outrageously low prices, but after payment the product is never delivered.

Malicious electronic cards

Another popular form of digital fraud during the holiday season is digital greeting cards, which can contain malware that puts your device at risk, but also phone scams, where fraudsters posing as company representatives ask for personal or financial data over the phone.

Another cyber security pitfall is fake shipping notifications via messages, which ask for confirmation of personal details for product delivery, but also fake contests, which require the entry of personal details, are used for scams, as well as fake charities, where fraudsters create websites, which look legitimate, to extort money from unsuspecting consumers.

How to protect yourself

To reduce risk, ESET recommends that consumers:

  • Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
  • Check the authenticity of websites before making purchases.
  • Do not disclose personal or financial information to unknown senders.
  • Make payments by credit card for extra protection.
  • Update devices regularly and install security software.

If you suspect you have been a victim of fraud:

  • Inform your bank immediately and cancel your cards.
  • Change passwords.
  • Report the fraud to the appropriate authorities.
  • Gather evidence for possible investigation.