8 Holiday Cyber Scams You Should Avoid - Keepnet

The 2024 holiday season brings heightened risks of cyber scams, with the FBI warning consumers about growing holiday-related fraud.

According to VikingCloud's 2024 Holiday Cyber Threat Survey, 48% of retailers face challenges complying with data protection regulations during the holiday season, primarily due to the surge in customer credit card data within digital systems and other contributing factors.

With holiday e-commerce sales projected to surpass $260 billion this year, scammers are seizing more opportunities than ever to exploit unsuspecting shoppers. Staying vigilant against these threats is crucial to protecting yourself—not just this year, but as they are likely to persist well into 2025 and beyond.

In this blog, we'll walk you through 8 common holiday cyber scams, show you how to identify them and provide actionable tips to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe.

Introduction to Holiday Cyber Scams

The holiday season is a time for joy, shopping, and giving, but it's also prime time for holiday scammers and holiday fraudsters looking to exploit unsuspecting victims. With online shopping and digital transactions at an all-time high, cybercriminals leverage this busy period to launch online holiday scams that target your finances, data, and peace of mind. From holiday scams to vacation scams, it's essential to recognize these threats and take steps to protect yourself.

Scam 1: Fake Online Stores and Deals

How to Identify Fraudulent E-commerce Websites

• Verify the Website URL: Look for misspellings or variations in domain names.
• Check Reviews: Search for reviews of the website or seller on trusted platforms.
• Secure Connection: Ensure the site uses HTTPS and displays a valid security certificate.
• Be Wary of Unrealistic Discounts: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

By double-checking these details, you can avoid falling victim to holiday scams involving fake stores.

Scam 2: Phishing Emails and Messages

Phishing scams remain one of the most dangerous forms of online holiday scams. Fraudulent emails or messages are sent, posing as trusted companies, promising holiday deals, order confirmations, or shipping updates. These communications contain malicious links or attachments designed to steal your personal information.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Scams

• Verify the Sender: Check the email address for inconsistencies.
• Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links: Hover over links to preview URLs before clicking.
• Watch for Urgent Language: Phishing attempts often use urgency to push you into action.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Adding an extra layer of security can help protect sensitive accounts.

Stay vigilant to avoid these holiday scams that compromise your data and privacy.

Scam 3: Gift Card Scams

Gift cards are a convenient holiday gift but are also a favorite target of holiday fraudsters. Scammers trick victims into purchasing gift cards for fake payments, often posing as a friend, boss, or trusted authority figure.

How Scammers Exploit Gift Cards

• Impersonation: Scammers impersonate someone you know and urgently request gift card purchases.
• Fake Payments: Scammers ask for gift card codes as payment for fake services or items.
• Phishing for Gift Card Codes: Fraudulent emails or texts solicit your gift card details.

To avoid holiday scams involving gift cards, never share gift card numbers, and treat these requests with caution.

Scam 4: Fake Shipping and Delivery Notifications

Fake shipping notifications are another common online holiday scam. Scammers send fraudulent emails or texts that claim your holiday packages are delayed or require additional information. These messages include malicious links that install malware or steal login credentials.

How to Safely Track Your Holiday Packages

• Use Official Tracking Websites: Only track shipments through the retailer's website or the official courier’s platform.
• Verify Emails and Messages: Watch for spelling errors, generic greetings, and suspicious links.
• Avoid Providing Personal Information: Legitimate shipping companies will not ask for sensitive information via email or text.

Being cautious with delivery notifications will protect you from these holiday scammers looking to exploit the gift-giving season.

Scam 5: Social Media Giveaway Scams

Social media giveaways are a great way to win prizes, but holiday fraudsters exploit this by creating fake contests to collect personal data or install malware. These scams often require participants to share links, provide personal information, or click on malicious ads.

Staying Safe While Participating in Online Contests

• Verify the Account: Only trust giveaways from verified accounts or well-known brands.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Legitimate contests will not ask for your bank details or passwords.
• Check for Signs of Fraud: Be wary of giveaways that require upfront payments or ask you to download software.

By staying alert, you can safely enjoy legitimate contests without falling for these holiday scams.

Scam 6: Charity and Donation Scams

The holidays inspire generosity, which holiday scammers exploit through fake charities and donation scams. Fraudsters create convincing websites or reach out via email and phone to solicit donations for non-existent causes.

Real-Life Example: The ITV and Keepnet Christmas Scam Experiment

To demonstrate how easily people can be deceived in holiday seasons like Christmas, ITV partnered with Keepnet and The Security Company International to conduct a live Christmas scam experiment. Shoppers were asked to fill out surveys promising free Christmas gifts in exchange for their personal details. This experiment revealed how quickly individuals can fall for offline scams, highlighting the importance of verifying any request—whether online or in person.

Watch the full ITV Tonight episode featuring the live Christmas scam experiment by ITV, Keepnet, and The Security Company International for more insights on recognizing scams: Watch Now.

How to Avoid Charity Scams

• Research the Charity: Check if the organization is registered and verify its legitimacy through platforms like Charity Navigator.
• Donate Directly: Use official websites or trusted donation platforms.
• Beware of Urgent Appeals: Scammers often use emotional stories or pressure to push quick donations.

Ensure your donations go to genuine causes by avoiding these holiday fraudsters.

Scam 7: Travel and Vacation Scams

The holiday season often involves travel plans, making it a prime target for vacation scams. Holiday scammers create fake booking websites, bogus travel deals, or last-minute vacation offers to steal money and personal details.

How Scammers Target Holiday Travel Plans

• Fake Booking Websites: Scammers design websites that mimic legitimate travel agencies.
• Phony Deals: Unrealistic offers lure victims into providing financial information.
• Last-Minute Changes: Fraudsters pretend to make changes to bookings, asking for extra fees.

Tips for Booking Safe and Secure Travel Deals

• Book Through Trusted Platforms: Use reputable travel websites or directly book with airlines and hotels.
• Verify Contact Information: Call the company using official contact details to confirm bookings.
• Pay Securely: Use credit cards for payments to add an extra layer of protection.

Avoid vacation scams by thoroughly verifying all travel deals and bookings.

Scam 8: Fake Tech Support and Security Alerts

Cybercriminals use fake tech support and security alerts to exploit individuals during the holidays. These online holiday scams appear as pop-up ads, phone calls, or emails claiming your device is compromised and requiring immediate action.

Best Practices for Secure Online Shopping

• Ignore Unsolicited Tech Support: Legitimate companies will not cold-call or email you about technical issues.
• Avoid Downloading Unknown Software: Scammers use fake security tools to install malware.
• Use Antivirus Protection: Install trusted antivirus software to secure your devices.
• Be Wary of Pop-Ups: Avoid clicking on security alerts that direct you to unknown websites.

By following these best practices, you can avoid holiday scams that prey on your concerns about online security.

How Keepnet Human Risk Management Can Protect You from Holiday Scams

Companies with the lowest phishing rates consistently implement advanced phishing simulation software as part of their cybersecurity strategy. Incorporating regular phishing simulations into employee training equips staff to identify and respond to phishing attempts, achieving up to a 92% success rate.

Using Keepnet Human Risk Management platform you can test and train your employees to identify and prevent phishing threats, such as online holiday scams, phishing emails, and fake websites. You can also build your Security Behavior & Culture Program based on outcome-driven metrics to track your employees' progress.

These are some of the Human Risk Management solutions you can use:

• Phishing Simulation: Train yourself and your team to recognize phishing attempts with real-world scenarios.
• Security Awareness Training: Learn to detect scams, avoid fraudulent offers, and stay vigilant online.
• Incident Response Tools: Quickly identify and mitigate threats in case of suspicious activities or breaches.
• Threat Sharing: Collaborate with trusted networks to share threat intelligence and stay ahead of emerging cyber threats.

By leveraging Keepnet’s solutions, you can navigate the holiday season with confidence, knowing you are prepared against evolving cyber threats.

Happy Holidays from Keepnet!