Here are some of the most common online scams to watch out for — and avoid clicking on.
Fake online stores:
Websites that look legitimate but sell counterfeit or non-existent items.
Triangulation fraud:
Websites that mirror real stores and may even deliver the items you order by placing the order with the real retailer, but their real goal is to capture your payment details and steal your credit card information.
Fake gift cards and discount codes:
Emails or messages that offer “free” gift cards or large discounts.
Fake delivery notifications:
Emails or texts pretending to be from courier services asking for personal information.
Fake holiday e-cards:
Cards that appear to come from friends or colleagues but contain malware.
Fake contests and giveaways:
Promotions that look like they’re from real brands but are actually scams.
Fake ads:
Ads showing products at suspiciously low prices that lead to fraudulent sites.
Fake celebrity endorsements:
Posts claiming celebrity support to promote bogus products.
Phishing via direct messages:
Messages from fake profiles containing links to phishing sites.
Charity phishing:
Requests for donations to fake charities via email or social media.
Listings for Christmas concerts or markets that sell invalid or non-existent tickets.