Christmas is the most stressful time of the year. When you’re planning your festivities or shopping for your mountain of gifts, the last thing you need is to be the victim of a phishing email or online scam. Whether it’s a good money scam or a message from a relative, scammers and scammers prey on your idle moments for gold.
The problem with falling for one of these online scams is that you can’t easily remove this lump of coal from your wallet. Once a fraudster has a hold of your personal information, it’s not as easy as you might think to find it. Thankfully, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We at PCMag have some tricks to help you avoid any holiday scams that come your way.
How to spot a scam
Scams are the bane of the online world. They come in many forms, such as texts from family or friends, or links and attachments from businesses and government organizations. While you may think your eagle eye can tell a legitimate email from a fake, you may not have the tools you need to spot them right away. Before you click on something you don’t fully trust, here are a few things to look for:
Mashable Light Speed
-
Suspicious links or attachments: Fraudsters love a good trick, and the best way to gain access to personal data is often through deceptive links that trick victims into giving up their information. These attacks often include strange URLs with hidden extensions that you wouldn’t know. If an email is sent with an attachment you’re not sure about, the safest policy is to never click it.
-
An anonymous email address or website: Did you receive a message or text from a name or number you don’t immediately recognize? There are many chances that you will be scammed. These messages may promise an irresistible opportunity or trade in exchange for your personal information.
-
Requests for personal information (such as bank or PayID): The promise of money is a classic trick of fraudsters. They will try to entice you to give up your BSB or bank details in exchange for ‘free money’ or ‘amazing winnings’. If you receive these types of messages or emails, it’s a safe bet it’s a scam. Nothing comes that easily.
-
Threatening or urgent words: Nothing motivates you better than fear. When scammers are trying to get their way, they may use aggressive language or graphic threats to get their point across. If you’re facing threats of account closure, fines, or legal action (from MyGov, your bank, or the tax office) for clicking unverified links, you know you’ve got a scam on your hands.
How to prevent fraud
Preventing scams and hacking before they happen is the best way to protect yourself online. This can be by setting up anti-virus software to detect and block malware or Trojans before they take hold or by using AI-powered assistants to send suspicious emails and links before they are clicked. If you need additional security to keep your device safe, Bitdefender has a suite of security products and services to keep you covered.
-
Bitdefender Total Security: Staying on top of your cybersecurity should be number one on your priority list. Bitdefender Total Security will keep you completely safe with real-time data protection and general information on your device protection. It will notify you of any vulnerabilities found across Windows, masOS, IOS and Android, ensuring they are squashed before any lurker gets the better of them.
-
Bitdefender Premium Security: If you’re afraid of setting up spyware shop on your devices, Bitdefender Premium Security will put your mind at ease. With unlimited VPN and powerful AI protection (including Anti-Tracker, Microphone Monitor, and Webcam Protection), you can rest easy knowing that no one will be watching your activity online.
-
Bitdefender Ultimate Security: As the most advanced digital security option, Bitdefender Ultimate Security features some of the strongest malware protection you can find. With built-in fraud protection, a powerful firewall, and dark web monitoring, your online identity will be under lock and key.
-
Bitdefender Scamio: Is there a potential scam in your inbox? Instead of ignoring it and hoping it will disappear, Bitdefender Scamio will prove its worth to you. Just send any suspicious messages, links, emails or QR codes to this AI-powered scam detector, and you’ll know if you’re dealing with a serious security threat.
Stay safe this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, your online security needs may be the last thing on your mind. But before you fall victim to any ‘one-of-a-kind deals’ or messages from long-lost family members asking for holiday money, Bitdefender has everything you need to protect your online data.
