With the shopping holiday of Cyber Monday just around the corner, Brits are being urged to exercise heightened caution against online scams. The prevalence of online scams has surged in recent years, and scammers have become increasingly adept at defrauding unsuspecting shoppers.
On Friday, Felicity Oswald, the chief of the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), cautioned that cybercriminals will be out in full force, intent on "scamming people out of their hard-earned cash."
"The growing availability and capability of technology like large language models is making scams more convincing," she explained.
According to the NCSC, shoppers lost over £10 million to online scams during the festive period last year, which included Black Friday and Cyber Monday. City A.M. spoke to Oz Alashe MBE, a cybersecurity expert and CEO of CybSafe, who shared his top tips for staying safe from online scams during the shopping weekend.
"Cyber Monday is not just a time for bargain hunters; it's also a breeding ground for criminals to prey on financial information and sensitive data," he remarked.
"People need to be equipped with the knowledge and understanding to identify these threats before they cause harm. A crucial aspect of this lies in adopting secure behaviors and implementing effective cyber hygiene practices to safeguard consumers, their friends, and their families."
Here are five of the most common online scams to watch out for:
1. Malicious emails and texts
Cybercriminals exploit major shopping events to bombard people with emails and text messages promoting deals and discounts. When you receive such messages, scrutinize the sender's address. Does it appear legitimate? Only click on links if you are absolutely certain of their authenticity. If not, delete them immediately!
2. Spoofed domains
Criminals create replica websites of legitimate brands to trick shoppers into divulging their financial information.
Always double-check the URL of the websites you visit, and exercise caution with links received via email, text, or social media promotions. If you have doubts, search for the brand online to verify if the advertised deals are available on their official website.
3. Prioritize credit cards over debit cards for purchases
Credit cards offer better fraud protection if your information is compromised, making them a valuable tool against online scams.
If you discover unauthorized charges on your credit card, you should be reimbursed for the entire amount spent, provided you notify your provider promptly.
4. Check return policies and read reviews before purchasing from unfamiliar sites
Scam websites often lack return policies or impose strict return windows. Investigate whether there are reviews mentioning fraud or counterfeit products. If something seems suspicious, trust your instincts and avoid the site.
5. Empower yourself to combat online scams
Educate yourself about the tactics employed by cybercriminals, and then consider how you can enhance your security.
Enable multi-factor authentication on online accounts that offer the service. Create strong, unique passwords. Employ anti-malware and email security solutions, and always maintain backups of your critical data. These practices will significantly strengthen your online security.