Protect What You Value
November is the start of the holiday season. Make sure that it is the season of giving not giving data away. Every year, thousands of people become victims of holiday scams. Scammers can rob you of hard-earned money, personal data, and, at the very least, a festive mood. Scams include:
· Non-delivery scams, where you pay for goods or services you find online, but you never receive your items.
· Non-payment scams, where you ship purchased goods or services, but you never receive payment for them.
· Auction fraud, where a product you purchase was misrepresented on an auction site.
· Gift card fraud, where a seller asks you to pay with a pre-paid card.
Practice Good Cybersecurity Hygiene
Whether you’re the buyer or the seller, there are several ways you can protect yourself—and your wallet. Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Phishing scams and similar crimes get you to click on links and give up personal data like your name, password, and bank account number. In some cases, you may unknowingly download malware to your device. Be especially wary if a company asks you to update your password or account information. Look up the company’s phone number on your own and call the company.
Quick tips
· Check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure.
· If you’re purchasing from a company for the first time, do your research and check reviews.
· Verify the legitimacy of a buyer or seller before moving forward with a purchase. If you’re using an online marketplace or auction website, check their feedback rating. Be wary of buyers and sellers with mostly unfavorable feedback ratings or no ratings at all.
· Avoid sellers who act as authorized dealers or factory representatives of popular items.
· Be wary of sellers who post an auction or advertisement as if they reside in the U.S. but then respond to questions by stating they are out of the country on business, family emergency, or similar reasons.
· Avoid buyers who request their purchase be shipped using a certain method to avoid customs or taxes inside another country.
Gift Card Scams
We talk about this every year, but every year people fall for these scams. Gift cards are not always used as a simple gift; sometimes they are used as a scam. These scams are popular because they are easy for individuals to access; there are fewer protections; and once the card has been accessed by the scammer, the damage is done.
How do these scams work? In the business setting, an individual would receive an email from someone impersonating a manager or a higher-level employee, asking the target to purchase multiple gift cards and to send them the activation codes. Outside of the workplace, scammers pretend to be from the government, tech support or a utility company. They contact individuals and ask for payment via gift card.
Quick tips
· If you receive an email at work asking you to purchase a gift card, immediately report it as phishing. Do not reply or comply!
· If you receive a phone call requesting that you purchase gift cards, hang up immediately and report it. In the US, you can report to www.ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
· Avoid buying gift cards from online auction sites! The cards may be fake or stolen.
Travel Security
Research estimates nearly half of people worldwide will travel during the holiday season. With an increase in travelers comes an increase of travel security concerns. Our personal data is out of its usual secure place and easily accessible to others if we aren’t careful. Before you travel, take time to ensure that your information is safe and secure.
Quick tips
· Leave unnecessary electronics at home
· Keep your devices and personal data (such as passports and IDs) with you at all times
· Turn off auto-connect to Wi-Fi settings and avoid public Wi-Fi
· Ensure your device doesn’t auto sync with the rental car or the Air B&B devices
· If you are planning to share information about your trip on social media, wait until you return home