Millions of people are making haste and last-minute holiday shopping now. And cybercriminals are also on the lookout to take advantage of this. This year, a lot has been at stake, from the global supply chain crisis, chip challenges to the COVID19. These have caused troubles to shippers and shoppers alike.
That is why most people find it hard to get that gift on time and are now panic buying. This is what cybercriminals want. In that haste, the scammers will likely get their hands on information like credit card numbers.
According to Carla Diaz, co-founder of Broadband Search, holiday shopping is a problem of its own. Often, this is when many online retailers come to the scene. They are never real, and they dupe customers by claiming to house popular gifts.
These pop-up websites usually sell only those unique and hard-to-find items. But what happens to shoppers if they see this? They will fall prey to the traps, which often become costly in the end. The surprising part is that these sites are never complete. They don’t have full details as with legitimate digital storefronts.
These scam websites still don’t provide full invoice details and tracking numbers. Once clients share their personal data, the scammers will use them to make personal purchases. For this reason, it is very critical for shoppers to be careful. Buyers should ensure they only shop from reputable dealers. Plus, if one notices a too good to be a valid deal, they should research the site and read reviews.
The Emotional Blackmail During Holiday Shopping
As many people venture into online shopping this holiday, they are in for worse. Scammers use emotionally manipulative tactics to blackmail them. For instance, these sites can offer new and discounted products. To make the deals even sweeter, they promise a 24-hour shipping deal. But the truth is that this is a scam.
The scammers use something called taking advantage of the scarcity of desired must-haves. This is where they exploit shoppers’ desire for a particular product with fantastic offers. So, it only makes perfect sense to think twice for a buyer who sees any of these unrealistic offerings.
The Scarcity Exploitation During Holiday Shopping
Another trend these scammers use is exploiting buyers based on scarcity. They take advantage of the panic buying and profit themselves. Cybercriminals, in most cases, will sell fake items to people on these sites.
But the supply chain crisis is also to blame. This issue is forcing buyers to look for alternative places to buy goods. Sadly, these options give clients unrealistic listings and send them to non-existent products. They end up losing data. The scammers can also phish credentials via other shoddy ways.
Avoiding Scams in the Eve of This Holiday Shopping
The truth is that many people will want to do holiday shopping this festive season. However, it is also an excellent idea to be extra careful. There are several dangers to watch out for than ever now in 2021. For that reason, it is an excellent idea for shoppers to follow some precautions. Avoid being a victim to cybercriminals by doing some of the following.
· Know the common warning signs of scams: It is never difficult to know when someone gets into a fraud. Some of the signs to watch out for include conveying urgency to complete a transaction. Not only that, but the scammers will avoid using trusted payment methods like Visa cards. Others will also force buyers to do a transfer of funds immediately.
· Do you know and trust the online dealer: This is another question worth asking? Here, the buyer will want to check on external credentials and recommendations. Confirming these details is the surest way of avoiding being a victim.
· Take Your Time: Before making any online purchase, slowing down is a good idea. Take time to think about the decision, and avoid a store that forces you to do things faster. On this note, it is also advisable to never commit to making a payment under pressure. These are also significant measures worth taking for offline shopping.
Final Words
While holiday shopping is a must for most people, it is a great idea to be extra careful. Scammers and cybercriminals are outside there to take advantage of the haste and desperation. That is why those who are not extra careful will lose more. As a rule of thumb, buyers should never buy from new websites. Again, never enter into a deal that seems too good to be true.