Safe Shopping During Winter Sales – How to Avoid Online Scams

The Sense of Urgency in Winter Sales

Retailers often create a sense of urgency to prompt purchases – you've likely seen phrases like “Limited-time offer!” or “Only a few items left!” While these strategies help you snag great deals, scammers frequently exploit them too. Fraudsters might advertise fake discounts or claim to sell exclusive items to lure unsuspecting shoppers. By following our tips below, you can shop smartly and stay vigilant.

Common Risks During Winter Sales

While online shopping is generally safe, risks persist, particularly during high-volume sales periods like winter sales. Scammers use various tactics, including:

  • Fake Websites and Stores: They mimic trusted brands with counterfeit websites or apps offering unrealistically low prices.
  • Social Media Scams: Advertise products through platforms like Facebook and Instagram (beware of “final closing sales” too), aiming to sell items that never arrive.
  • Malvertising: Insert malicious code into seemingly legitimate ads to steal personal and financial data or infect your devices with malware.
  • Phishing: Send fake emails or messages leading users to click on links to malicious sites.

Tips for Safe Shopping During Winter Sales

  • research the seller: Before making a purchase, check the seller's reputation by reviewing reviews, complaints, and their social media activity. A lack of reviews or recent, sparse social presence is often a red flag.
  • avoid suspicious links: Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails or messages promoting incredible deals. Want to check if the offer is “real”? Go directly to the retailer’s official website.
  • use secure networks: Shop only on secure Wi-Fi networks or cellular data to reduce the risk of sensitive information being intercepted.
  • verify payment security: Ensure the site URL starts with “https” and look for the lock icon in the browser’s address bar.
  • regularly check bank statements: Review your bank and credit card statements regularly to spot unauthorized transactions.
  • beware of unrealistic offers: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of high discounts that don’t align with market prices.

Want Extra Protection? Choose SICURNET, MyCRIFData’s service that monitors your data, alerts you if it’s compromised by cybercriminals (even on the Dark Web), and provides assistance when needed!

Happy Shopping and Stay Safe!