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The holiday season, full of joy and festivities, is also a time when fraudsters take advantage of the season to devise clever schemes to trick consumers online. As digital shopping increases during December, cyber threats multiply, with phishing scams, fake offers and ransomware emails lurking around every virtual corner. In this article, we'll touch on the most common cases of Christmas scams and provide practical advice on how to protect yourself online, ensuring your celebrations are filled with joy and not unpleasant surprises.
Digital Fraud
fraudsters deploy a variety of strategies to gain access to bank details and card numbers. These clever criminals create fake links, messages and pages in the hope of persuading users to reveal their confidential data. One of the most commonly employed ruses is through fraudulent e-mails that direct to fictitious web pages, simulating account or product lockouts and encouraging victims to restore their information. Text messages also come into play, leading to web pages that request personal or financial information to be used in illicit transactions. In addition, scam calls are not far behind, with criminals posing as bank or business representatives to obtain valuable personal or financial information.
Product Openings Using Your Information
Another critical facet in the fight against fraud focuses on identity theft when opening financial products. It is essential to keep an eye on the products registered in your name in different financial institutions and businesses. Criminals, using confidential financial information obtained through the aforementioned tactics, seek to open financial products, from accounts to credit, by impersonating users.
Never disclose the five confidential data:
1. User
2. Bank key
3. Debit and credit card numbers
4. Card expiration date
5. Security Code
Different Scams
The scammers, through WhatsApp or social network chats, impersonate the person and ask for urgent help inventing different circumstances, such as the need for a shipment abroad, or a dangerous situation. There are also other types of scams such as the sale of products through social networks or internet pages. In this case we recommend you to take into account these aspects before making the purchase:
- Verify the veracity of the page through reviews and ratings, as well as the number of followers and likes on the publications and comments. This will help to identify the trajectory of the store.
- Ask as many questions as possible, and if you see a lower price than usual, be suspicious and investigate.
How to Prevent Being Scammed
- Update your Passwords:
Change your passwords regularly and make sure they are strong and different for each account. A strong password is essential to protect yourself. - Verify Sources:
Before clicking on links or sharing personal information, make sure the source is authentic. Avoid opening suspicious emails and do not share confidential data in an unsolicited manner. - Revisa los Sitios Web:Al comprar en línea, asegúrate de que el sitio sea seguro. Busca el candado en la barra de direcciones y da preferencia a sitios con «https» en lugar de «http».
- Keep your programs up to date:
Update your antivirus software and operating system regularly. These updates often include crucial security patches to protect your device. - Check your Account Statements:
Periodically review your account statements to identify suspicious activity. Immediately report any unauthorized transactions to your financial institution. - Beware of Irresistible Offers:
Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. Scams often take advantage of the bargain season to lure unsuspecting victims. - Protect your devices:
Make sure your devices are protected with passwords and/or biometrics. This will make unauthorized access difficult in case of loss or theft.
Scamming techniques are constantly evolving, and it is crucial that we are vigilant and prepared to protect our personal information. By adopting sound security practices, such as updating passwords, verifying the authenticity of sources and being aware of suspicious offers, we can enjoy the magic of Christmas without unnecessary worry.
Let's protect ourselves together this holiday season! If you found this guide to digital holiday scams useful, discover more tips and news related to online safety on our ClickPanda blog. Stay informed, share this knowledge with your loved ones and navigate with confidence in this digital world - click here to explore more articles and ensure a safe and worry-free holiday season!