CHRISTMAS is the season for giving – but for scammers, it’s the best time to take.
Cybersecurity experts have warned The Sun readers over three dangerous scams targeting victims over the festive holidays.
It’s easy for crooks to access a huge pool of potential victims online, and you could be one of them.
And in December, you need to be on high alert, as revealed by security expert Darren Guccione.
“As the holiday season approaches, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to exploit the festive rush with sophisticated scams,” said Darren, the CEO of Keeper Security, speaking to The Sun.
“From fake delivery notices to gift card scams, these tactics are designed to capitalize on the chaos and hit your wallet hard.”
One common scam involves using social media to flog products.
Christmas is the perfect time for this scam as people can pretend like they’re flogging unwanted gifts.
“During the holidays, some scammers will pose as fraudulent sellers who ask for payment in gift cards,” Darren said.
“They may advertise an item at an attractive price on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
“After luring you in, the scammer insists that gift cards are the only accepted form of payment.
“Once they receive the codes, however, they disappear — leaving you without the item and out the cost of the cards.”
Another cruel scam sees crooks pretending to be your loved ones.
They might have even hijacked their accounts – and then use those stolen log-ins to break into yours.
“Some scammers impersonate people you know, such as family members or friends, asking for money or sensitive information,” Darren warned.
“Using social engineering, they exploit emotional triggers and employ a sense of urgency to deceive victims and persuade them to act quickly without thinking.
Here’s what Sean Keach, Head of Technology and Science at The Sun and The U.S. Sun, has to say…
The rise of deepfakes is one of the most worrying trends in online security.
Deepfake technology can create videos of you even from a single photo – so almost no one is safe.
But although it seems a bit hopeless, the rapid rise of deepfakes has some upsides.
For a start, there’s much greater awareness about deepfakes now.
So people will be looking for the signs that a video might be faked.
Similarly, tech companies are investing time and money in software that can detect faked AI content.
This means social media will be able to flag faked content to you with increased confidence – and more often.
As the quality of deepfakes grow, you’ll likely struggle to spot visual mistakes – especially in a few years.
So your best defence is your own common sense: apply scrutiny to everything you watch online.
Ask if the video is something that would make sense for someone to have faked – and who benefits from you seeing this clip?
If you’re being told something alarming, a person is saying something that seems out of character, or you’re being rushed into an action, there’s a chance you’re watching a fraudulent clip.
“Artificial intelligence is making these scams even more believable with voice cloning and deepfakes.”
A third common con is when criminals will serve up tempting promotions or offers.
But if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“Beware of social media holiday giveaways promising extravagant prizes like luxury items or vacations,” Darren told The Sun.
“While some contests are legitimate, there are a bevy of fake promotions that will be leveraged to collect personal information or small ‘processing’ fees.
“A good rule of thumb to remember is if a giveaway asks for payment, it’s likely a scam.”
It’s important to be as cautious at Christmas as any other time of the year – and possibly even moreso.
The good news is that the telltale signs of a Christmas scam are the same as any other con.
Security expert Darren Guccione revealed two other common Christmas scams...
BONUS SCAM #1 – FAKE DELIVERIES
“One tactic is the delivery confirmation scam, where cybercriminals impersonate couriers like FedEx or UPS, claiming a package couldn’t be delivered,” said Darren Guccione, founder of Keeper Security, speaking to The Sun.
“With so many gifts on the way, it’s easy to panic and click the link – but doing so can lead you to phishing sites that will harvest your personal information or download dangerous malware on your device.
“Always track your packages directly through the couriers website or app to stay safe.”
BONUS SCAM #2 – ROGUE REFUNDS
“Another scheme targets returns and refunds.
“Scammers send fraudulent emails about issues with a recent purchase, directing victims to phishing sites that steal personal details and payment information.
“Legitimate retailers will never ask for sensitive details via email, so verify any claims by reaching out directly through official customer service channels.”
Picture Credit: Unsplash
Make sure you’re watching out for unsolicited links, urgent requests for money, demands for strange payment methods like gift cards, and unusually good deals or promotions.
“By staying vigilant, independently verifying sources and thinking twice before you click, you can protect your finances and enjoy the holidays with peace of mind,” Darren advised.
