The holiday season is a time for gifts and good deeds, but also a time when cybercriminals redouble their efforts to take advantage of our enthusiasm. Here are some practical tips for recognizing and avoiding the main online scams.
Fake e-commerce sites: offers too good to be true
With the popularity of online shopping, a number of fraudulent sites are imitating well-known boutiques by offering brand-name products at ridiculously low prices. These offers seem too good to be true, and often the items ordered never arrive.
Not sure?
- Check the site address: make sure it starts with ”https”, that a padlock is visible in the address bar and that the site is spelled correctly. For example, instead of lemagasin.com, the site could be lemag.asin.com.
- Beware of unbelievable discounts: If the price seems too good to be true or the discount is very large, it’s probably a scam.
Fraudulent e-mails
During the holiday season, phishing e-mails are on the rise. Fraudsters pose as well-known companies, delivery services or even banks. They ask you to click on dubious links or provide personal information. For example, some pretend to be government agencies to collect your sensitive data. .
What should you do?
- Don’t click on just any link
- Check the sender: Confirm that the e-mail address corresponds to the company’s official domain.
- Look for errors: Fraudulent e-mails often contain spelling mistakes or strange wording.
- Take the time to question yourself. If in doubt, check by another means of communication or delete the e-mail.
Donation solicitations: when generosity is exploited
The holiday season is also an ideal time for appeals for donations. Unfortunately, some scammers take advantage of this to create fake fund-raising campaigns or assume the identity of charitable organizations. Some even use social funding platforms to divert donations.
Here are a few tips…
- Check the organization’s legitimacy: Consult official websites to confirm its existence.
- Give preference to direct donations: Make your donations via the organization’s official website.
- Be cautious of insistent requests: Be wary of campaigns that insist on being repeated several times.
In this festive season, a little vigilance can make all the difference. Before making a purchase, clicking on a link or giving money, take the time to check the authenticity of what you receive. That way, you can enjoy the festive season while protecting your finances and your personal information.