Now, not only has the victim been charged for this fake item, but the cyber criminal now has access to all their credit card information.
Now more than ever, Christmas shopping is done online - and, of course, cyber criminals are going to take advantage of it.
A new and common cyber attack will send out SMS messages to victims claiming that a package they ordered will not arrive on time.
This preys on the victim's fear, as they are now worried that a gift they have ordered will not be ready before Christmas.
Then the victim will enter their personal information or malware will immediately be infected into their device.
In a more timely version of this scam, the SMS will lead the victim to call a customer service number, but the number is spoofed and only brings the victim directly into the attacker's hands.
The victim will then call the number, everything will seem to be normal, and they'll give up personal and financial information.
One of the most common ways for cyber criminals to enter a professional network or obtain personal information is through emails that when opened or clicked, release malware immediately.
As the holidays approach, your inbox is probably filling up with more and more emails about the holiday season, and cyber criminals know that.
Cyber criminals will hide among your plethora of virtual gift cards or e-season greeting emails and trick victim's into believing their email is just another one to open.
We don't want to take out all the fun of the holiday season, as some friends will legitimately send e-gift cards or Christmas cards through email.
Before clicking on an email that is sent to you, check if you know the sender.
Hover over the sender to check the domain of the email and see if it matches your organization or the organization it is claiming to come from.
Scammers create fake websites that advertise irresistible deals on gift cards for popular stores - think paying $50 for a $100 gift card to Best Buy.
Victims who fall for this scam will give their financial information, have the money removed from their account, and never receive access to the gift card.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, always purchase gift cards directly from the official website of the retailer or trusted authorized sellers.
A gift card will never be sold for less than it's worth.
They'll then ask for the victim's card information in order to obtain access to their banking.
While the holiday season brings warmth and joy, it's crucial to remain vigilant against cyber security threats.
By being aware of common scams and adopting cautious online practices, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to cybercriminals.
This Cyber News was published on securityboulevard.com. Publication date: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 20:43:04 +0000