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December 21, 2015, 9:25 PM EST

Beware of Holiday Email Scams

Author

Synchrony

Abstract:

As shoppers begin to check off their holiday shopping list, cyber criminals are gearing up to spread something other than holiday cheer. This holiday season, consumers can expect to experience a substantial spike in cyber-attacks beginning the day before Thanksgiving lasting well into the New Year.

There is typically a 35% increase in the overall volume of online traffic during the holiday season, with spam making up 98% of all emails that bypass security filters. This means everyone needs to be very cautious when opening and responding to emails regarding recent online purchases and other potential holiday scams.

Table of Contents

Secure Email Tips:

  • Be wary of emails asking you to verify your account, purchases, or any other confidential information including your ID and Password
  • Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening attachments
  • A common holiday threat is online holiday greeting cards used to infect your computer.  Be sure to check the link and ensure it takes you to a legitimate site; when in doubt you can Google the site before clicking the link to check for malicious reports.  
  • Charity scams are also common during the holidays; be sure when donating that you go directly to the official website and research/Google the organization before making a decision to donate or provide personal information.

For more information, including what to do if you accidentally click on a phishing link or open a phishing attachment, visit this consumer resource by the FTC.