Stay Cyber Safe This Holiday Season: Top Tips to Avoid Scams in 2024

As the holidays approach, so does the peak season for cyber scams. November and December are prime times for hackers to strike, taking advantage of our busy schedules and holiday distractions. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself from the top scams in 2024.

Why Holiday Scams Thrive

Hackers know we’re distracted. According to recent surveys, 30% of people admit to engaging in riskier behaviors during the holidays, such as:

  • Sharing vacation photos and tagging current locations.

  • Posting personal identifiable information (PII) online.

While these actions may seem harmless, they make you a prime target for identity theft, shopping scams, and delivery fraud. Each year, holiday scams cost Americans billions of dollars, and this year is no exception.

Top Holiday Scams to Watch Out For

  • Identity Theft: Hackers can capture photos of your credit card or ID in mere seconds.

  • Delivery Scams: Beware of fake shipping alerts requesting personal information.

  • Shopping Scams: Fake retail sites or deals that seem too good to be true are red flags. Counterfeit goods or no delivery at all are common outcomes.

  • Charity Scams: Fraudsters exploit holiday generosity with fake charities or by mimicking real ones.

  • Gift Card Scams: Avoid suspicious online giveaways and always purchase gift cards from reputable retailers.

Best Practices for a Scam-Free Holiday

  • Shop Smarter

    • Stick to well-known websites.

    • Verify deals before purchasing.

    • Avoid sharing PII with unknown vendors.

  • Vet Charities

    • Use resources like Charity Navigator to confirm legitimacy.

    • Avoid high-pressure donation tactics and phone solicitations.

  • Stay Alert with Gift Cards

    • Keep receipts and avoid buying cards online.

  • Secure Payment Methods

    • Use credit cards for better fraud protection.

  • Guard Against Delivery Scams

    • Scrutinize alerts for vague details or phishing attempts.

    • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your accounts.

  • Practice Strong Password Hygiene

    • Use complex passwords, change them often, and store them with a password manager like 1Password.

  • Monitor Your Accounts

    • Set up usage alerts on your credit cards to track purchases in real-time.

Stay Savvy This Season

Make these habits part of your holiday routine. By staying vigilant, you can enjoy a safer, scam-free season. Remember: staying secure means staying one step ahead of cybercriminals. Report scams when you encounter them and never store payment information on websites.

Happy holidays, and stay safe!

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