5 of the top online scams around Christmas

Aspect ChristmasIt is normal to see an increase in online shopping as part of holiday preparations. But it is important to be aware and prioritize security because This period is also a suitable period for online fraud attempts to increase., tricks This fake ads. In 2023 alone, 80,000 people in Brazil fell victim to online fraud; The Southeast region was most affected. Don’t think that grandmothers are the only ones affected; The majority of fraud victims are men (73%), and 71% of them are under 31 years of age.

However, shopping online is undoubtedly easier and more convenient; It makes it unnecessary to be careful when the goal is to feel 100% safe in your digital life. Good preventative practice is to be informed; so take a look below at some of the top online scams that occur most around Christmas!

Fake shopping sites

One of the most common online scams during Christmas is the creation of fake shopping websites that look like legitimate online stores and serve to deceive and steal customers’ payment information. To avoid these, you need to look out for signs such as text containing spelling errors, prices well below competitors, and a website URL with incorrect characters.

Fake travel packages

Another common scam is travel package offers for Christmas or New Year’s Eve from fake companies. In this case, the reservation is never made and the consumer’s money is stolen, leaving the customer without a holiday or money. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the legitimacy of the company and website selling the packages to make sure it is not a scam.

Scams involving Pix

Online scams involving Pix are also very common around Christmas and can take a variety of forms. Both through selling items on marketplaces like Facebook and through requests for donations to fake charities. When purchasing using Pix make sure to always use the code sent by the official payment platform, never pay directly to the seller. When it comes to donations, research the name of the organization and the ways they accept donations to find out if the request is legitimate or a scam.

delivery scam

Another common online scam during Christmas is sending fake delivery messages, requesting personal information or demanding additional payment for the release of the package. The aim is to steal victims’ personal information or money. Payment for delivery must be made at the time of purchase and in case of any problems the store will contact you through official means and not via Whatsapp or SMS.

fake offers

Finally, fake promotions on social networks or shopping sites are another common type of fraud and serve to lure and steal victims’ personal information. Therefore, it is better to avoid clicking on ads whose prices are much lower than reality or making purchases in unknown stores.

Avoid fraud by investing in cybersecurity

Shopping online is an easy way to prepare for vacation, but it does come with some risks. Being aware and informed is the way to take precautions, but investing in a solid cybersecurity system is essential to gain greater protection and guarantee a peaceful and happy end to the year. These systems offer the necessary features to prevent your personal and financial information from falling into the hands of criminals.

For example, features such as payment protection provide additional layers of security when making online transactions, ensuring your data is encrypted and protected against fraud. Anti-phishing is another function responsible for identifying and blocking fraudulent attempts aimed at obtaining confidential information from users. Safe browsing prevents you from falling victim to cyber attacks by protecting against malicious websites and infected file downloads.

By investing in a solid cybersecurity system, you will protect yourself against possible online scams and provide peace of mind during your internet activities.