- A study reveals that Christmas package scams have doubled year after year
- More than 33,500 phishing attacks have been distributed so far
- Bundle Scams, Fake Gifts, and Fake Retail Sites Are Things to Watch Out for
The holiday season always provides serious opportunities for scammers, who take advantage of the existing sales season, the increase in legitimate ads and the general urgency to buy, but this year, however, that has been accelerated by (you guessed it) AI.
Previously, scammers had to spend time and effort to create convincing-looking phishing attacks or fake web pages, which required a certain level of skill to fool unsuspecting Internet users. But now, the only thing criminals need is AI.
New research from Check Point found that more than 33,500 Christmas-themed phishing attacks have already been distributed this holiday season, as well as more than 10,000 seasonal-themed social media ads flagged as suspicious.
what to look for
Researchers identify three scams that are particularly common this time of year; postal phishing attacks, fake retail sites, and social media “giveaways.” AI has improved the effectiveness of each of these attacks, but there are still ways to identify a scam.
Most of us will have experienced a parcel scam over the last few years and, I admit, even I have come close to falling for some of them, so be careful as researchers have seen these scams double since last year.
This usually consists of a fake text message or email from a number claiming to be Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS or similar, informing you that you have lost a parcel or that you need to provide more information to the courier. It will provide a link that will eventually lead to credential theft or even payment fraud.
There has been a similar rise in fake retail sites with big “holiday deals,” often using AI-powered chat assistants to fake real customer service. These will urge you to take advantage of the offers while they last and ultimately steal your payment information and personal data.
Similarly, ‘giveaways’ on social media increase in and around the holidays, promising attractive prizes, but winners (everyone) must pay a ‘shipping fee’ that will be stolen, along with their card details.
stay safe
The trick to staying safe from these is to understand them, be aware, and be wary of anything you don’t expect or that seems too good to be true.
Most of us will order a package in one way or another, so be sure to check the official retailer’s correspondence to check order tracking and progress; do not click on any links sent in text messages.
If you see a lot of offers on a website, be careful. Do a separate search of the website to find the offer and if you can’t, it’s most likely fake; Don’t follow social media ads directly to the retailer’s site.
Giveaways are It’s common around Christmas, but be sure to check the age of any account giving out prizes – any account under 180 days is unlikely to be legitimate. Plus, if they can afford to send stock in gifts, they can probably afford to cover the shipping costs.
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