Don't let impostor and doorstep scammers ruin your holiday.
After providing advice on tech shopping for many years, here are the best strategies to prevent scammers from ruining Black Friday.
Holidays are usually moments of joy and celebration, but they also bring with them a series of risks and dangers, especially with the rise of online scams. Recent research indicates that more than half of Americans have received fraudulent messages related to package deliveries, while a notable number also reported scams related to credit card issues.
To protect oneself during the holiday shopping season, it is essential to adopt some precautionary measures. First, minimizing the personal information shared on social media can be a good strategy. Details like your favorite color, your first pet, or the name of your hometown can be used by scammers to impersonate family members or friends to obtain more information about you.
In the realm of online shopping, it is crucial to be alert to fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers. Occasionally, emails and messages offer irresistible deals that turn out to be deceptive. It is always recommended to manually type web addresses instead of clicking on suspicious links. Checking the quality of product images and looking for typos can also help identify fraudulent sites.
Regarding packages that are said to be on their way, it's important to keep track of your purchases and check the status of orders directly on the retailer's website. If you receive a message saying that the package cannot be delivered until additional information is provided, you should proceed with caution and verify the legitimacy of the message.
Another aspect to consider is bank alerts about suspicious activity in accounts. Many scammers may attempt to buy gifts using stolen credit card information. It is crucial not to respond to alert text messages but to visit the bank's website for accurate information.
Moreover, young people should be educated about the validity of shopping tips they find on platforms like TikTok, where there has been an increase in recommendations for counterfeit products using deepfake technology.
Finally, attention should be paid to package security. With the increase in deliveries during the holiday months, package thefts become more common. Installing video doorbells or using secure delivery boxes can be a good investment to protect your purchases.
By following these tips and staying alert, it is possible to enjoy the holiday season with greater peace of mind and safety.