As the holiday shopping season ramps up, consumers increasingly turn to online platforms for their gift purchases, seeking convenience and variety. However, this shift also heightens the risk of encountering scams.
According to McAfee's 2024 Global Holiday Shopping Scams Study , 70% of American shoppers now believe that AI-powered scams, including deepfakes, significantly impact their online shopping behaviors. Alarmingly, 21% of Americans have unknowingly purchased fake products endorsed by deepfake
celebrities, with the figure rising to 33% among Gen Z and Millennials. Common tactics include fake missed delivery notifications (59%), phony purchase alerts (44%), and fake credit card issue messages (37%). With 89% of Americans planning to shop online this holiday season, the need for vigilance is more critical than ever.
Here are six prevalent holiday shopping scams and tips on how to avoid falling victim to them. RB Insights Be cautious with gift cards and only purchase from reputable sources. Verify the authenticity of discounted goods before buying. Watch out for fraudulent e-cards that may contain malicious links.
Use coupon sites that don’t require personal information. Be aware of potential scams when using the ‘buy online, pick up in-store’ option. Order early to avoid delivery issues and use secure payment methods. 1. The Gift Card Scam Gift cards remain a popular gift choice but are also prime targets for scammers.
Fraudsters exploit the high demand for gift cards, often selling fake or already-used cards through unofficial channels. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , nearly one in three Americans have been targeted by a gift card scam. To protect…
Discussion
0 Comments
No comments yet.
Sign in to join the discussion.