The Boxing Day sales are here for 2023 – which means so are the scammers, ready and waiting to pounce on unsuspecting shoppers.
More than 12 million people have now been subject of an online shopping scam according to NordVPN, with almost a third falling victim during festive sales.
As this year begins, the cybersecurity company is warning people not to share unnecessary information, and to beware of any deals that seem too good to be true – because they probably are.
‘While Boxing Day is mostly a day for spending time with our loved ones, it’s famously also a prime opportunity for millions of Brits to grab a bargain,’ said NordVPN cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven.
‘Sadly, there are plenty of scammers out there waiting to seize the moment and spoil your Christmas.
‘As you browse the sales, keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true or a website is requesting an excessive amount of personal information for a deal, chances are it’s a scam.’
The company noted that while shoppers are more wary of sharing personal information such as names, addresses and phone numbers, they are more likely to share ‘harmless’ information such as likes and dislikes, without realising this can also be used by criminals to guess passwords.
‘Make sure you use secure websites and trusted sellers, and be cautious about sites that demand more information than necessary,’ added Mr Warmenhoven.
‘If a good deal comes at the cost of your personal details, it’s because that information holds significant value for them.
‘With over 12 million people in the UK having fallen prey to online shopping scams, it’s crucial to keep your security in mind. Discounts and time-limited offers are in abundance at this time of year and it’s all too easy to click impulsively and end up regretting it further down the line.’
How to protect yourself from this year’s online shopping scams
- Only give as much information as needed A legitimate website will only request details needed to make a transaction and ship your order
- Check the URL Without knowing it, you may have stumbled onto a fraudulent website that is taking advantage of a URL that is similar to a well-known brand, known as typosquatting. Watch out for the likes of ‘Amazun.com’ or ‘n1ke.com’, as they are likely a front to con you out of money
- Think before you click If you receive an email advertising Boxing Day sales with a link to a deal and notice that the URL is shorter than usual, be cautious – while many are genuine, this can be a tactic used to dupe consumers or infect a device with malware. If you’re unsure, do an online search for the company’s website or enter the address manually.
- Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi It’s generally best to avoid shopping online using public Wi-Fi networks because they typically have weaker security and can be scanned and breached by hackers
- Use tools to protect your online shopping experience While hackers use AI to automate their attacks, users can also use tools to identify fishy online shopping websites. Tools like NordVPN’s Threat Protection help flag suspicious webpages and protect users from being scammed
- Monitor your bank statements One of the best ways to ensure you aren’t being scammed is by monitoring your bank statements online or via mobile banking. Doing this allows you to not only keep track of purchases and costs but can also help you respond quickly in case you notice a suspicious transaction
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