Grab your favorite drink and settle in while we spill this month’s cyber tea!

 

As you dive into online holiday shopping with your warm brew in hand, remember, cyber criminals have new scams brewing, too. Don’t let your online shopping or holiday social media posting grind to a halt because of these scams. In today’s blog, learn about the tactics circulating social media and online shopping platforms. By the time you finish this blog, you will be ready to take on the digital holiday season armed with a big cup of cyber habits.

 

 

3 Online Threats

BAIT AND SWITCH POSTS

Scammers are making attention-grabbing posts about missing children or injured animals, urging users to share them to spread the word. After users have reposted the message, the scammer switches it to show a link to a survey that “guarantees cash prizes” or a fake ad for a rental property. Since this still shows up on the user’s page as a repost, many of their online friends might think they are recommending the link. If interacted with, these ads often lead to malware or identity theft. To avoid playing a role in these scams, investigate the person doing the original posting, do a reverse image search, and check if the supposed news has been reported by other outlets before reposting.

 

 

PHISHY BUYER

Online selling platforms and social media marketplaces can make it easy to connect with buyers for your old items. But scammers don’t only pose as sellers. Be wary of buyers who:

• Ask to move the conversation to another platform.
• Overpay for an item unprompted.
• Ask for your personal information.
• Don’t have a profile picture or profile information.

Trust your gut! If it feels phishy, then don’t take the chance! Most honest sellers and buyers won’t have issues meeting in public places to do the transaction or answering questions.

 

FAKE EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

Scammers are posting to social media pretending to be ex-employees of a store. They claim to be “seeking revenge” on their previous employers by offering their employee discount to followers. They claim the discount gets you items for free; you just need pay for shipping. Once an order is placed, the website disappears, or they refuse refunds. Users are left with no item or a cheap knockoff. If a post seems phishy, report it to the social media platform.

Furthermore, using a credit card instead of your debit card may give you buyers protection. Check into the T’s & C’s for yours. Many banks and cards offer fraud protection.

 

 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The holidays are a time cyber criminals try to take advantage of. Whether you are shopping online, or scrolling on social media, be sure to think twice before clicking this time of year.

 

 

SOCIAL MEDIA CHALLENGE

 

Which social media post is most likely a scam?

 

 

You did it! You passed the Online Scams and Threats Mini-course! Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!!