iPhone and Android owners should be especially careful this month as fraud cases are expected to increase
December is here, which means millions of us will be buying gifts and sending holiday messages to our friends and family. While this should be one of the most joyful times of the year, there’s good reason to stay vigilant, as scammers love the holidays too. Online scammers are out in full force this holiday season, and if you fall for their trap, it could lead to big trouble.
According to new figures from UK mobile network EE, fraud is quite common, with one in four (23 per cent) UK shoppers falling victim to a festive scam.
The consequences could be serious: the UK Treasury estimates that the total cost of Christmas fraud is around £100 million.
EE's security partners Norton also estimate that each victim loses more than £1,000 after being scammed – a sum no one wants to lose.
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Mobile operators including EE are working hard to prevent text message fraud among their customers, blocking millions of such messages every month. However, despite their best efforts, some threats still make it through, which is why EE is publishing new advice to help keep its customers safe.
It's a good idea to pay attention to things like undelivered text messages or messages that appear to be from family members, and if in doubt… don't respond.
Here's the latest advice and guidance from EE on how to stay safe this Christmas.
Common Christmas scams and what to look out for.
• Impersonation scams: Also known as the “Hi Mom, Hi Dad” scam, criminals often pose as family members or friends, claiming that they have lost their phone and need money.
• E-card scams: Scammers use Christmas e-cards to trick victims into downloading malware.
• Smishing: Fraudulent text messages/emails about delivery that state that a package is delayed and prompt the user to click a link to track its status.
• High-pressure scams: High-pressure scams, often accompanied by a countdown, are a common tactic used by scammers to trick buyers into making hasty, ill-informed decisions.
• Spoof Websites: Fake websites that offer overly tempting deals and discounts on popular products.
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Speaking about the threats, Richard Wainer, BT Group Director of Regulatory Affairs, said: “Our commitment to protecting customers from fraud is unwavering. The festive season is the time of year when consumers are most vulnerable to fraudsters and it is especially important that people have the tools they need to protect themselves from fraudulent attempts.
“We understand that people are increasingly concerned about themselves or their loved ones falling victim to scams ahead of Christmas, but by raising awareness of the most common scams and providing advice and services such as Scam Guard, we are determined to continue to protect consumers from fraudsters.”
So the advice is clear. Be careful, think before you answer, avoid clicking on links, and don't part with your money until you're sure who you're giving it to.
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
