Dec 7, 20212 min
December 2021
Many plan to shop online despite the concern they may become victims of cyber-scams.
During last year's Black Friday to Cyber Monday holiday weekend, more than 124 million consumers chose to make their purchases in-store. In 2021, as we continue to deal with COVID-19, many have shifted direction, shopping more and buying what they need through their devices. Hackers know and follow these statistics as well. Gift-card scams, fake websites, fake discount codes and of course fake emails remain top methods being utilized by cyber criminals.
The following are tips for you to use during the Holidays.
1. Make sure that your phone and computers are up to date
before going online. This can offer more protection
against viruses and malware.
2. Don’t use public Wi-Fi networks. Attackers can steal
personal data exchanged on such networks.
3. Think twice if something looks like a potential scam. Be
aware of the indicators such as payment only through wire
transfer or gift cards.
4. This is the time when tickets to events may be on the higher side. If you find
vendors who sell the same tickets for a significantly lower rate, remember that
this is the time a lot of counterfeit tickets are being sold.
5. If you find products at low rates on websites that you’ve not heard of, beware of
scams that make you pay and don’t deliver anything.
6. Opt for payment via credit card than a debit card for more security.
7. If you’re shopping for digital gift cards, always prefer trusted merchants. Check for
cards that have pins at the back uncovered then recovered.
8. Change your passwords across all accounts. Use unique and strong passwords
that aren’t easy to guess.
9. Stay abreast of charity scams. Before donating anything, do some research to
ensure that the donations are indeed going to legitimate non-profits.
10. Social engineering scams are quite popular during this time of the year. If you
find a deal that is too good to be true, it probably is.
11. Beware of links and attachments that promise the final chance of buying the
perfect gift.
12. Monitor bank and card statements for unauthorized transactions. In case there is
something suspicious, report it right away.
- Brian Banks, Internal Information Security Officer