Urgent Christmas alert for millions as experts warn common scam could empty your bank in seconds
Christmas is a time to give, but it’s also the ideal time for scammers to steal.
Experts in cybersecurity have alerted readers of The Sun to three risky scams that prey on people throughout the holiday season.
Online scammers have easy access to a vast number of prospective victims, and you can be one of them.
And according to security expert Darren Guccione, you should be extremely vigilant in December.
“As the holiday season draws near, cybercriminals are increasing their efforts to take advantage of the festive rush with sophisticated scams,” Keeper Security CEO Darren told The Sun.
“From fake delivery notices to gift card scams, these tactics are designed to capitalize on the chaos and hit your wallet hard.”
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SCAM #1 FAKE SALES
Using social media to flog items is one prevalent scam.
This scam works best around Christmas, when people may act as though they’re flogging undesired presents.
“During the holidays, some scammers will pose as fraudulent sellers who ask for payment in gift cards,” warned Darren.
“On websites like Facebook Marketplace, they might promote a product at a competitive price.
“The con artist lures you in and then demands that the only way to pay is with gift cards.
“Once they receive the codes, however, they disappear leaving you without the item and out the cost of the cards.”
SCAM #2 FAMILY FAKES
Crooks pose as your loved ones in yet another heinous fraud.
They may have even taken over their accounts and used the stolen login credentials to access yours.
“Some scammers impersonate people you know, such as family members or friends, asking formoneyor sensitive information,” cautioned Darren.
“They use social engineering to trick victims into acting hastily and without thinking by taking advantage of emotional triggers and creating a sense of urgency.
DEFENCE AGAINST THE DEEPFAKES
Here’s what The Sun and The U.S. Sun’s Head of Technology and Science, Sean Keach, has to say…
One of the most concerning developments in online security is the emergence of deepfakes.
Almost no one is safe because deepfake technology can make films of you from only one picture.
However, there are some benefits to the sharp increase of deepfakes, despite the fact that it seems really dire.
To begin with, people are now lot more aware of deepfakes.
People will therefore be searching for clues that a video may be a hoax.
In a similar vein, tech firms are devoting resources and attention to technologies that can identify phony artificial intelligence material.
This implies that social media will be able to alert you to phony information more frequently and with more confidence.
As the quality of deepfakes grow, you’ll likely struggle to spot visual mistakes especially in a few years.
Therefore, using common sense and scrutinizing what you watch online is your best defense.
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.”
SCAM #3 PRIZE FOOL!
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 goodnewsis that the telltale signs of a Christmas scam are the same as any other con.
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TWO OTHER SCAMS TO BEWARE
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.
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