The holiday shopping season is in full swing, with Black Friday kicking off the frenzy of deals and discounts. However, as consumers flock to online retailers to snag the best deals, scammers are also ramping up their efforts to target unsuspecting shoppers. A recent report by Forbes has revealed a staggering 89% increase in fraudulent websites compared to last year, with nearly 80% of shopping-related emails being flagged as scams. Even trusted Google search results are being manipulated to redirect users to harmful sites.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to online shoppers, urging them to be vigilant and take steps to protect themselves from these scams during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and beyond. This alert is especially important for users of popular web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge, which account for 95% of the US market. The FBI advises shoppers to follow safety tips and remain cautious to avoid falling victim to these threats.
The FBI warns consumers to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as scammers often use enticing offers to lure in unsuspecting shoppers. Every year, thousands of people fall victim to holiday scams, losing money, personal information, and their festive spirit in the process.
Some of the common cyber scams to watch out for include non-delivery scams, where you pay for goods or services online but never receive them, non-payment scams, where you ship goods or services but never receive payment, auction fraud, where a product is misrepresented on an auction site, and gift card fraud, where sellers ask for payment with prepaid cards.
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s (IC3) 2023 report, non-payment and non-delivery scams cost consumers over $309 million that year, with credit card fraud adding another $173 million in losses. The IC3 typically sees a surge in complaints in the early months of the year, indicating a connection to the holiday shopping scams from the previous season.
As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, it is essential for consumers to stay vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves from scams and fraudulent activities. By following the FBI’s safety tips and remaining cautious while shopping online, shoppers can enjoy a safe and secure holiday shopping experience.
