Cyber-Safe Shopping: Protect Yourself During the Holiday Season
As online sales reach record levels, the convenience of shopping from home brings potential dangers such as phishing scams, fraudulent websites, and malware. It’s important to stay vigilant when shopping online, especially during the holiday season, as cybercriminals often exploit the surge in online traffic.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping events of the year, known for massive discounts and deals that kick-off the festive holiday shopping season. Black Friday, traditionally held on the last Friday of November, originated as a day of in-store sales and promotions but has since expanded to include online offers as well. Cyber Monday, which takes place the following Monday, was introduced to encourage online shopping, catering to those who prefer the convenience of browsing deals from their devices.
To help you shop safely this season, here are some tips to protect yourself from scams:
1. Beware of phishing scams and fraudulent offers
Cybercriminals often send fraudulent emails or messages promoting fake deals during sales events:
Inspect emails carefully: Hover over links to verify their destination. Legitimate retailers’ emails will have URLs matching their official site.
Avoid clicking suspicious links: If you click on a link, avoid entering your personal, bank or security information and never download any software from untrusted sources. For best security practices, manually visit the retailers’ websites by typing the URL into your browser.
Watch for red flags: Poor grammar, misspelled retailer names, or low-quality images are all common signs of a phishing scam.
Suspected scam emails, texts, websites, adverts, or phone calls can be reported to the National Cyber Security Centre.
2. Stick to trusted retailers
While browsing for deals, always prioritise established retailers:
Use official websites or apps: Look for “https://” in the website’s URL, which indicates a secure connection.
Check independent reviews: Instead of relying on reviews hosted on the retailer’s website, find independent reviews of the seller/ store on official review websites.
Avoid deals that seem too good to be true: If a discount looks unbelievable, it might be a trap set by scammers.
Be cautious on social media: Always check if accounts are verified and cross-check promotions with official retailer pages.
3. Protect your payment information
Secure payment methods are crucial while shopping online:
Use credit cards or digital wallets: These offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Services like PayPal or Apple Pay add another layer of security. Be cautious if a seller insists on payment through bank transfer only.
Avoid public wi-fi: Use a secure home network or a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to shield your transactions from hackers.
Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA on all accounts related to payments or online shopping for extra security.
4. Protect your devices
Malware can steal your data or damage your devices. Some precautions to ensure your devices are protected from malware and other cyber threats include:
Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browser, and antivirus software to protect against vulnerabilities.
Use antivirus software: Ensure it’s active and scanning for threats while you shop.
Avoid downloading apps from unknown sources: Only download apps from official stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store.
5. Use strong and unique passwords
Your online shopping accounts need robust protection. It’s important to use strong and different passwords for each account you shop online with:
Create complex passwords: Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Follow the NCSC’s password guidance on three random words.
Use a password manager: These tools help generate and securely store strong passwords for all your accounts.
Change compromised passwords: If you suspect an account has been hacked, update your password immediately.
6. Monitor your accounts
Early detection can minimise damage from fraud:
Check your bank statements: Look for unauthorised transactions during and after Black Friday.
Set up alerts: Many banks and payment apps allow you to receive notifications for transactions.
What to do if you become a victim
Stay calm: If you fall victim to an online shopping scam, stay calm and focused, to handle the situation effectively.
Contact your bank/ payment provider: If you believe you've fallen for a scam, contact your bank right away using a trusted number, such as the one on your bank statement, their official website, or the back of your debit or credit card.
Report the scam: If you’ve been tricked into making a payment, inform your bank immediately and report it as a crime to Police Scotland at 101. You can also call the Cyber and Fraud Hub on 0808 281 3580 for assistance and support in the case of an incident with scams or fraud.
Contact the retailer or website: Inform the website or platform that you purchased from about the scam. The retailer may help prevent further fraud or investigate the issue.
Review and strengthen security measures: Update your passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and ensure your device has up-to-date security.
Seek emotional support if necessary: If you feel overwhelmed, talk to someone you trust or reach out to support organisations for help. If an experience with online fraud or scams begins to impact your mental well-being, organisations like Victim Support Scotland and Samaritans Scotland can provide you with emotional support.
Additional Resources
Online shopping guidance - Police Scotland –General guidance on how to stay secure when shopping online from Police Scotland.
Online Shopping - TSS - Top tips for shopping safely online from Trading Standards Scotland.
Free Scam Checker – Ask Silver - The free, AI-powered scam checking tool using screenshots from Ask Silver.
Shopping and paying safely online - NCSC - National Cyber Security Centre guidance on online shopping.
A Guide to Avoiding Fraud and Scams for Older People – Guidance from the Cyber and Fraud Hub provides insights into common online scams, identifies red flags to watch out for, and outlines steps to take in case of suspected fraud.
Purchase Fraud - Take Five to Stop Fraud – A breakdown of Purchase Fraud from Take Five.