As Black Friday approaches, online shoppers are eagerly searching for discounts and deals, but they should also be cautious of scams and phishing attempts. The holiday shopping season brings with it the increased risk of online scams, costing consumers millions each year.
Cybercriminals often target people through email, text messages, or social media, attempting to trick them into revealing personal or financial information. The most common online scams involve fake websites and nonexistent products/services, where scammers steal personal and financial information or install malicious software on devices.
To protect themselves, the Financial and Cyber Crime Group recommend that shoppers ask three important questions while hunting for online bargains:
1. Is the website legitimate? Shoppers should look for the “https://” in the URL and be cautious with unfamiliar sites. It’s essential to double-check the domain name to avoid imitation websites designed to steal information. Marketing emails and social media ads should also be verified for legitimacy.
2. Did the deal arrive via email or text with a link? If a deal seems too good to be true, shoppers should exercise caution when receiving emails or messages promoting incredible offers. It’s safer to avoid clicking on links from unknown sources and instead visit the retailer’s official website to verify offers.
3. Do I have strong and different passwords for each site I sign up to? Using the same password across multiple sites is risky. It’s recommended to use a password manager to keep passwords secure and enable two-factor authentication for extra protection.
Before making a purchase, shoppers are advised to stop and think critically about the deal. If something appears too good to be true, it may be a scam. Stay safe online and ensure to take necessary precautions when shopping during this holiday season.
For more information on scams, shoppers can visit www.scamwatch.gov.au. If money has been lost due to a scam, it’s important to notify the bank immediately. Victims of cybercrimes can report incidents online at ReportCyber.
Remember to click wisely and protect yourself from Black Friday scams. Stay informed and cautious while enjoying the deals and discounts during this shopping season.
To read the full article, visit https://www.miragenews.com/guard-against-black-friday-scams-click-wisely-1363125/.