During this holiday season while your virtual shopping carts are filled with care, beware of a not-so-jolly visitor among your devices. With the surge in online shopping throughout this time of year, opportunities lurk for a sneaky Grinch to step in and snatch your information and your holiday joy. It’s called PHISHING, and it can cause you a world of trouble.
“Phishing” is an internet scam that uses fraudulent emails, text messages, or phone calls that appear to come from a legitimate source to acquire and exploit sensitive information.
Realistic-looking links and messages are often used to trick you into giving away your personal information then hit you with ransomware and malware infections, financial loss, and even reputation damage. It is essential to be INFORMED and READY TO COMBAT phishing attacks during the holiday season.
Internet scammers often create FALSE CHARITY DONATION websites or even leverage a legitimate existing charity, claiming that they need your donations for an IMPORTANT CAUSE.
They will exploit devastating events that have recently circulated the news by alleging your money will help solve the crisis. Always be sure to extensively research the charity you are donating to. Avoid anything asking for out-of-the-ordinary payments such as CRYPTOCURRENCY or GIFT CARDS.
Have you ever received a suspicious text about a SUPPOSED MISSING PACKAGE? This is a common tactic used by scammers to get personal information via a link. These text messages or calls usually appear to be from a legitimate source such as USPS or FedEx.
Avoid clicking any links such as a supposed TRACKING LINK. These are used in an attempt to snatch financial and personal details while sometimes even installing malware on your device. If you have real shipping issues with a real order, be sure to contact the company directly through their verified website.
Social media scams will be the gift you don’t want this season. Social media sites can advertise to large groups of people at once, becoming a prime spot for phishing. Watch out for any messages from people claiming to be SOMEONE YOU MAY KNOW. This is how scammers manipulate you into giving them your personal information.
GIFT EXCHANGES on websites like FACEBOOK are also known to be pyramid scheme-type scams. Many of them have a false claim that by participating, you could receive dozens of gifts. They will ask for your address, phone number, and email and open you up to identity theft.
Fake websites are an easy way for cybercriminals to trick internet users into giving up their information to a site they think is real. This is especially prevalent during the high shopping demand of the holidays. These fake websites can even show up in your search results on Google.
Look out for WEB ADDRESSES with an extra character that DOES NOT MATCH the legitimate website’s domain. Links to these fake websites can also be sent out through email.
Messages asking you to take IMMEDIATE ACTION for your account safety are a red flag. Links in those messages can go to sites that LOOK LIKE Amazon, Apple, Google, or your bank. These types of phishing scams will attempt to take your bank information, personal details, and more.
So, how do we avoid these phishing scams during the holidays? When buying gifts this holiday season, make sure you RESEARCH THE COMPANY if you are not familiar with it. Fraudulent websites can easily capture credit card and other personal information.
Hover over links before clicking on them and CHECK THE LINK ADDRESS. If something suspicious comes through your Kent email, forward it to phish@kent.edu. Keep up with unique and strong passwords for all of your accounts and change them every so often.
Make sure to monitor your bank account for any strange or UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES. In the digital age, remember this piece of timeless wisdom: if something sounds too good to be true, it most likely is!