Have you finished your holiday shopping? Beware, as cybercriminals are just getting started. Thousands of shopping-themed scams occur this time of year, and these threats persist even after your cart is empty.
Common post-shopping scams are fake shipping delays and unexpected purchase confirmations. Scammers send fake package shipment and delivery notifications to try to steal people's personal information — not just at the holidays, but all year long. Their goal is to create a sense of urgency so you will impulsively click links and share confidential information. Here's what you need to know to protect yourself from these scams.
Use the tips below to spot post-shopping scams:
- If you get a message about an unexpected package delivery that tells you to click on a link, don’t click.
- If you think the message might be legitimate, contact the shipping company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use the information in the message.
- If you think it could be about something you recently ordered, go to the site where you purchased the item and look up the shipping and delivery status there.
- No matter the time of year, it always pays to protect your personal information. Check out these resources to help you weed out spam text messages, phishing emails, and unwanted calls.
- Be vigilant when purchasing online. View the FTC's Consumer Advice on Online Shopping.
