Holiday Season Scams Unwrapped: Grab the Best Deals Securely

The holiday season is all about pleasure, celebrations, and snagging the amazing offers on gifts! 

With Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday discounts creating a frenzy, consumers are eager to make the most of it. However, lurking in the back of the pleasure are holiday season scams that could turn your festive mood bitter. 

Imagine this: You’re eagerly awaiting your ordered package, tracking it from the warehouse to your doorstep. But rather than a present, you are notified that your account has been compromised. Or perhaps you come upon a fraudulent website that mimics your favorite online store, stealing your personal data.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss tips for shopping safely while protecting your data privacy this holiday season. 

Excited to discover those tactics? We too! 

Let’s get started!

Top Holiday Shopping Trends Spotted This Year

The way we save at some point in the holiday season is evolving. 

Here are a few terrific traits to watch:

1. E-commerce Dominates

More than 76% of customers now look forward to holiday deals (Statista, 2023), although this comfort comes with risks, such as phishing scams and fake websites.

2. Early Deal Hunters

Around 44% of shoppers begin attempting to find deals as early as October, spurred by pre-holiday income.

3. Mobile Shopping

More than 58% of holiday purchases are currently happening via smartphones, making mobile protection vital.

4. Buy Now, Pay (BNPL)

BNPL services have surged by 35% but can also entice scammers posing as valid payment portals.

Related Read: Top 5 Antivirus Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals in 2024: Save Big With Best Deals

How Shopping Shifts During the Holiday Season

• Higher Spending: Holiday consumers spent almost $998 billion globally in 2022, with projections displaying a 5% boom for 2023 (Statista).
• Impulse Buying: Research shows that 48% of consumers make unplanned purchases during holiday sales. This creates opportunities for fraudsters to exploit urgency.
• Increase in Scams: According to the FBI, phishing scams increased by 38% during the holiday season.

Also Read: How VPN Ensures Online Data Security on This Black Friday Shopping

Holiday Shopping Habits and Their Risks

1. Falling for Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals

Fake websites regularly mimic large retailers, offering steep discounts. Clicking those links can lead to identity theft or malware infections.

 

2. Public Wi-Fi Shopping

Over 40% of customers use public Wi-Fi even as surfing deals, leaving their data vulnerable to hackers.

 

3. Rushed Checkouts

The urgency of flash sales can lead to careless clicks, exposing consumers to phishing scam protection challenges.

Tips for Safe and Savvy Shopping

1. Stick to Trusted Retailers
   Always rely upon reliable websites and avoid clicking on unsolicited hyperlinks. Look for “https” in the URL for secure transactions where “s” means secure. 
2. Use Strong Passwords
   Enable two-factor authentication in your shopping accounts, which saves you from identification theft. 
3. Avoid Public Wi-Fi
   If you must use public Wi-Fi, enable a VPN for added security.
4. Verify Payment Portals
   Always double-check payment gateway URLs to avoid fake portals.
5. Keep Antivirus Software Updated
   Equip your devices with strong equipment like AVP Suite antivirus software to identify and eliminate malicious websites and phishing attempts. 

Read More: Top 11 Cybersecurity Tips for a Secure Black Friday & Cyber Monday Shopping

How AVP Suite Can Help

With AVP Suite’s total security, you can have peace of mind. 

Here’s how:

• Phishing Scam Protection: Detects and blocks malicious links and emails.
• Real-Time Alerts: Notifies you of suspicious activity or unsecured websites.
• Identity Protection: Shields your personal information from theft.
• Wi-Fi Security: Provides safe connections even on public networks.

Stay Safe and Smart with AVP Suite This Holiday Shopping Season!

The holiday shopping season is an appropriate time to have fun with your loved ones and exchange thoughtful gifts. By embracing safe shopping practices and relying on trusted tools like AVP Suite antivirus software, you can focus on the pleasure of giving instead of worrying about online threats.

Ready to make the most of your holiday shopping? Protect your data and enjoy secure browsing with AVP Suite Total Security—your trusted partner in cybersecurity!

Happy shopping, and stay safe!