In a world where holiday shopping is booming and cybercriminals are lurking, Americans are on high alert this season. According to the 2024 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday, nearly half (48%) of U.S. consumers have been targeted by scams while shopping online. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday just around the corner, more than half (53%) of Americans are concerned about falling victim to shopping scams during this busy shopping season.
As Cyber Safety Sunday approaches on December 1st, Norton is urging shoppers to take proactive measures to protect themselves online. Leyla Bilge from Norton emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant during the holidays. By sticking to trusted websites, staying informed about common scams, updating passwords, setting fraud alerts, and being cautious about sharing personal information, shoppers can minimize their risk of falling victim to cybercriminals.
With the rise of online crimes during the holiday season, concerns are mounting among consumers. Norton’s data reveals a significant increase in worries compared to the previous year. 71% of Americans fear their personal details being compromised, a 8% increase from last year. Additionally, 59% are concerned about being scammed by third-party retailers, and 59% are worried about AI shopping scams.
As shoppers hunt for discounts to stretch their holiday budgets, it’s essential to be cautious about the information shared to access these deals. Nearly 87% of U.S. online shoppers are spending extra time looking for discount codes, but this eagerness can expose them to privacy risks. Scammers may create fake promotions or clone legitimate retailer websites to deceive consumers into sharing personal information, leading to identity theft or financial fraud.
To combat these threats, Norton advises shoppers to secure discount codes directly from retailers and to consider using alternative email addresses for promotions. Norton AntiTrack can help create disposable email addresses for this purpose, ensuring shopper safety. While the temptation of discounts may be high, compromising personal safety is not worth the risk.
AI tools are playing a significant role in holiday shopping, with both retailers and consumers turning to chatbots and assistants for assistance. While AI recommendations can enhance the shopping experience, some shoppers remain skeptical. Many are hesitant to interact solely with AI chatbots, and concerns about data security and accuracy of information persist.
Despite the general distrust in social media sites, many shoppers still make purchases through social ads. However, clicking on these ads can expose individuals to phishing attacks, malware, and privacy breaches. Norton Genie, an AI-powered app, can help users spot scams and verify the legitimacy of offers, providing an extra layer of protection during the holiday season.
As Cyber Safety Sunday approaches, Norton encourages shoppers to take control of their online safety and utilize tools like Norton Genie to stay protected. By adopting proactive measures and staying informed about potential threats, consumers can enjoy a safe and secure shopping experience throughout the holiday season.