This post-holiday scam is tricking thousands–Learn how to shield yourself before it's too late!
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The holiday season may have wrapped up, leaving behind warm memories and joyful times, but there's an unwelcome gift that might still be lurking in your inbox: post-holiday reward scams.
Staying vigilant about cybersecurity is crucial, especially when scammers are keen to exploit the festive period's aftermath. So, let's unwrap the truth about these scams and arm you with the knowledge to protect yourself before it's too late.
Imagine this: You've just navigated the bustling holiday season, and you're settling back into your routine when an email pops up claiming you've earned a reward from your holiday shopping spree.
It's from a retailer you know and love—Amazon, Kohl's, Costco—so it must be legitimate, right? Wrong. This is precisely the trap that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about.
Scammers are crafting emails and texts with subject lines like “You have a new reward to claim,” designed to catch your eye and entice you to click.
They're masters of disguise, using familiar logos and branding to make their messages look like the real deal. But the truth is, they're phishing for your personal information—credit card details, names, addresses, and account numbers.
Clicking on links in these fraudulent messages or downloading attachments is like opening your front door to a thief.
These links are bait, leading to fake websites that can steal your credentials and wreak havoc on your financial security. But don't worry, you're not defenseless.
Here's how to shield yourself from these post-holiday cyber grinches.
1. Verify before you click: If an email or text seems too good to be true, it probably is. Hover your mouse over any links to see the full URL. If it doesn't match the retailer's official website address, steer clear.
2. Go directly to the source: Instead of clicking on links, open a new browser window and visit the retailer's website by typing the address yourself. Log into your account to check for any legitimate rewards or promotions.
3. Keep your info to yourself: Never share personal information like your credit card number or social security number in response to an unsolicited email or text.
4. Update your cybersecurity: Ensure your antivirus software is up to date, and consider using a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for your online accounts.
Take a moment to review your emails and texts with a critical eye, and remind your friends and family to do the same. Share this article with them, and let's create a community that's too smart to scam.
Have you encountered a post-holiday reward scam? How did you handle it? Do you have any additional tips for staying safe online? We'd love to hear your stories and advice. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Staying vigilant about cybersecurity is crucial, especially when scammers are keen to exploit the festive period's aftermath. So, let's unwrap the truth about these scams and arm you with the knowledge to protect yourself before it's too late.
Imagine this: You've just navigated the bustling holiday season, and you're settling back into your routine when an email pops up claiming you've earned a reward from your holiday shopping spree.
It's from a retailer you know and love—Amazon, Kohl's, Costco—so it must be legitimate, right? Wrong. This is precisely the trap that the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers about.
Scammers are crafting emails and texts with subject lines like “You have a new reward to claim,” designed to catch your eye and entice you to click.
They're masters of disguise, using familiar logos and branding to make their messages look like the real deal. But the truth is, they're phishing for your personal information—credit card details, names, addresses, and account numbers.
The Better Business Bureau has warned against post-holiday reward scams targeting consumers who have accumulated points at major retailers. Image source: Oleksandr Pidvalnyi / Pixabay.
Clicking on links in these fraudulent messages or downloading attachments is like opening your front door to a thief.
These links are bait, leading to fake websites that can steal your credentials and wreak havoc on your financial security. But don't worry, you're not defenseless.
Here's how to shield yourself from these post-holiday cyber grinches.
1. Verify before you click: If an email or text seems too good to be true, it probably is. Hover your mouse over any links to see the full URL. If it doesn't match the retailer's official website address, steer clear.
2. Go directly to the source: Instead of clicking on links, open a new browser window and visit the retailer's website by typing the address yourself. Log into your account to check for any legitimate rewards or promotions.
3. Keep your info to yourself: Never share personal information like your credit card number or social security number in response to an unsolicited email or text.
4. Update your cybersecurity: Ensure your antivirus software is up to date, and consider using a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for your online accounts.
Take a moment to review your emails and texts with a critical eye, and remind your friends and family to do the same. Share this article with them, and let's create a community that's too smart to scam.
Have you encountered a post-holiday reward scam? How did you handle it? Do you have any additional tips for staying safe online? We'd love to hear your stories and advice. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
