Be mindful during the festive season
As people shop for gifts, make travel arrangements and donate to charities, cybercriminals and fraudsters rush to exploit people’s generosity over the festive period.
Understanding the way in which these criminals operate can help you and your loved ones avoid falling victim this holiday season. Crowe’s fraud specialists from our Forensic Services team have provided some timely reminders and simple tips to stay safe.
Cybercriminals will send out emails and text messages pretending to be trusted retailers, courier services or charities.
The emails or messages will contain links that lead to fake websites designed to steal personal information such as login credentials, card details and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) which could later be used for identity fraud. A common ploy for example, will involve the message stating that there is a problem with a recent purchase, or urging recipients to confirm delivery.
How to protect yourself?Look for inconsistencies in the email in terms of language and grammar or unusual formatting. Verify the legitimacy of the senders’ email address to ensure the email is coming from a reputable source and has no misspellings or unusual formatting. Avoid downloading attachments from unknown senders. |
Fraudulent websites are set up to mimic legitimate retailers or even small businesses selling their ‘own products’.
The sites may offer luxury, trending or unique items for reasonable prices. Unsuspecting customers will purchase these items, only to receive counterfeit or substandard goods or they may receive nothing at all!
How to protect yourself?Shop on verified websites. Look for the padlock symbol and ‘https’ in the URL. Read customer reviews. Use secure payment methods such as credit cards which offer better fraud protection. |
With an increase in deliveries over Christmas, fraudsters will send out fake shipping notifications or ‘failed delivery’ attempts. These messages can appear extremely convincing but will actually include links to malicious sites that gather personal and financial information.
How to protect yourself?Track deliveries directly through the trusted retailer or courier’s website. Do not click on suspicious links in unsolicited emails or texts. |
How to protect yourself?Verify the authenticity of contests or sellers before engaging. Avoid sharing sensitive/personal data with non-reputable sources. |
For some, the festive season can be incredibly lonely and by no surprise, fraudsters and cyber criminals will seek to exploit this. They may pose as potential romantic partners or friends over social media or other platforms, forming what will appear to be a meaningful relationship. Once they have built a rapport, they may ask for financial benefits or help under these false pretences.
How to protect yourself?
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Quick tips to Keep in mind for a Merry Christmas:
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For more information on how our Forensics Services team can support you, please contact Tim Robinson or your usual Crowe contact.
