Scott Credit Union’s Post

Dive into the holiday shopping season with caution! While Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring incredible deals, they also attract scammers. Stay informed and shop safely! Check out our blog for common tricks to avoid. Don't let the dark side ruin your savings! #ShopSmart #CyberMonday #BlackFriday

🎯 Beware of Fake Black Friday Deals: Protect Your Data This Shopping Season! 🛍️💳 As Black Friday approaches, cybercriminals capitalize on the shopping frenzy with fake discount websites that steal sensitive information like credit card details, personal data, and even two-factor authentication codes. 🚨 What’s Happening? A phishing campaign, attributed to the financially motivated group SilkSpecter, targets shoppers in Europe and the U.S. by mimicking brands like IKEA, North Face, and Wayfair. These fake sites: ✔️ Offer bogus discounts to lure unsuspecting users. ✔️ Collect financial and personal data under the guise of legitimate transactions. ✔️ Use tools like Google Translate to adapt to users' locations and increase credibility. ✔️ Leverage SEO poisoning to rank fake sites higher in search results. 📉 Impact on Victims: Loss of money through fraudulent transactions. Theft of personal and financial information. Increased risk of follow-up scams via smishing or vishing. 🔒 How to Stay Safe: 1️⃣ Double-check URLs for typos or suspicious domains. 2️⃣ Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails or social media ads. 3️⃣ Only shop on verified, secure websites (look for "https" and a padlock icon). 4️⃣ Use a virtual credit card or payment method with fraud protection. 5️⃣ Monitor your bank statements for unauthorized transactions. Let’s spread awareness to keep the joy of shopping safe from scams! Share this post to help others stay vigilant. 🙌 #CyberSecurity #BlackFriday #DataProtection #OnlineSafety #PhishingAlert #infosec

What to look out for to tell whether a website is legitimate As the festive season approaches, criminals are continuously looking for ways to successfully gain access to consumers “cardholder data, sensitive authentication data and personally identifiable information (PII).”In most cases consumers voluntarily give away this information without being aware of it because we are always chasing bargains. According to Kaspersky in a report issued on 19 November 2024 a total of 200,000 Black Friday-themed spam messages in the first two weeks of November were detected through data shared consensually by their users. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, scammers often impersonate major retailers with deceptive emails to lure unsuspecting victims. These emails typically claim to come from the companies themselves and promote exclusive discounts, especially during high-traffic shopping periods like Black Friday. We don't want you to fall into this trap, so we have compiled a list of what you can look out for to tell whether a website is legitimate or not. #BlackFriday2024 #CyberMonday2024 #PhishingAlert

Are You Ready For Black Fraud-day? 🎁 As Black Friday approaches (and let's face it, we're all looking for a festive deal), the National Cyber Security Centre has issued a warning to online shoppers: online scams are on the rise, and last year alone, shoppers lost over £11 million to Cyber criminals. I read an article by The Guardian referring to it as 'fraud-day', which feels far more entertaining for a Friday! As the majority of us turn to online shopping, I thought I'd share a few tips as a reminder of the best-practices we may forget when frantically trying to avoid buying yet another pair of socks! ⭐ Fraud doesn’t discriminate. Whether you’re 30 or 60, shopping on social media or established marketplaces, vigilance is key, and even the most experienced shopper can be tripped up. ⭐ Enable 2-Step Verification: Add an extra layer of security to your banking accounts—it’s quick, easy, and could save you in the long-run. ⭐ Research Before You Pay: Check reviews on trusted sites and verify the legitimacy of sellers or sites. ⭐Pause Before You Purchase: Scammers thrive on creating false urgency. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Whilst you may not need these tips, someone in your life will! #BlackFriday #OnlineSafety #ShopSmart #CyberSecurity #FraudPrevention #StopThinkFraud #OnlineShoppingTips #ScamAwareness #StaySafeOnline #DigitalSecurity #CyberCrimeAwareness #OnlineScams

Not every deal is a steal – some are traps! 🚨 Thanksgiving and Black Friday are around the corner, but before clicking on that '80% off' link, remember these 3 red flags to look out for: 🛑 Unrealistic discounts: If it feels too good to be true, it probably is. 🛑 Misspelled domains: Look for typos or strange URLs (e.g. amaz0n.com). 🛑 Requests for extra personal info: No retailer needs your Social Security number to sell you a sweater! Cybercriminals are banking on your excitement. Don't fall for their tricks – stay alert and secure while you snag those deals. 🛒🔒 #CyberSecurityTips #OnlineShopping #BlackFridayAwareness

🚨 Black Friday or Black Fraud Day? Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Deals! 🚨 The excitement of Black Friday often blinds us to the lurking dangers of scams. Fraudsters are taking full advantage of the discount craze, using fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true deals to trap unsuspecting shoppers. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe this shopping season. How Scammers Operate 🕵️♂️ 1️⃣ Fake Websites: Scammers create lookalike versions of popular online stores. Shoppers enter payment details, only to realize later that the website was fraudulent. 2️⃣ Phishing Emails: Emails claiming to offer exclusive discounts contain links that steal your personal and banking details. 3️⃣ Unrealistic Offers: Offers that seem too good to be true often are. Fraudsters use them to lure shoppers into sharing sensitive information. 4️⃣ Social Media Ads: Fraudulent ads and pop-ups on social media platforms redirect users to fake stores. Protect Yourself with These Tips 🛡️ 🔒 1. Verify Websites Always check the URL. Look for “https://” and a padlock symbol. Stick to official apps or bookmarked websites of trusted brands. ✉️ 2. Beware of Phishing Emails Avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails. Instead, go directly to the retailer's website. Look for grammatical errors or suspicious sender addresses. 💳 3. Prefer Secure Payment Methods Use credit cards or secure payment platforms like PayPal. Avoid direct bank transfers. 🛑 4. Avoid Deals That Seem Unrealistic If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always verify it on the retailer's official site. 🛒 5. Shop with Caution on Social Media Be cautious about clicking ads. Research sellers thoroughly before making a purchase. Remember: Deals are temporary, but scams can have long-term consequences. Share this to help others stay safe during this Black Friday frenzy! #CyberSecurity #OnlineShoppingSafety #BlackFridayScams #Awareness

As the holiday season approaches, cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, especially during periods of heightened online shopping activity like Black Friday. Scammers exploit the rush for deals, making it crucial to stay vigilant. If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is. Here are some tips from ThriveDX to help you stay secure while shopping online! #CyberSecurityAwareness

The Hidden Cybersecurity Risks of Black Friday and Cyber Monday As shoppers flood online stores for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, cybercriminals are gearing up too. These shopping holidays offer a perfect storm of high-volume transactions, urgency, and distracted consumers—creating lucrative opportunities for scams and fraud. Here are some less obvious risks to watch out for: • Fake Customer Support: Scammers may impersonate online store support teams, contacting you to "fix an issue" with your order and stealing your payment details. Always reach out to support through official channels. • Card-Skimming Scripts: Some legitimate websites unknowingly host malicious code that steals your card information at checkout. Use virtual credit cards or trusted payment services like PayPal to reduce risk. • Counterfeit Product Scams: Be cautious of deals from third-party sellers offering brand-name products at ridiculously low prices. These items are often fake or never arrive at all. Businesses and consumers alike must remain vigilant. For companies, ensuring website security and payment encryption can protect your customers—and your reputation. For shoppers, a healthy dose of skepticism and proactive measures will go a long way in keeping your data safe this season. hashtag #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #BlackFridayScams #CyberMondayTips #DigitalSecurity #ConsumerProtection

⚠️ Black Friday Scam Alert: Fake Discount Sites ⚠️ Cybercriminals are exploiting the shopping frenzy with fraudulent discount websites designed to steal payment details and personal information. These sites mimic legitimate retailers, luring victims with too-good-to-be-true offers. Stay Safe: ✔️ Verify URLs and shop only from trusted retailers. ✔️ Avoid deals that demand immediate payment. ✔️ Use secure payment methods and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity. Don’t let fake deals ruin your holiday shopping! 🔗 Read more on https://lnkd.in/gP-3ADwn #CyberAwareness #OnlineShoppingSafety #PixaSec #ParSysTech

Shop Safely Online This Black Friday 🛍️ Black Friday deals are irresistible but scammers are also out hunting for opportunities. Stay safe while you snag those bargains: 🛡️ Use secure payment options with protections, such as PayPal (not PayPal Family and Friends) or a credit card. ⚠️ Avoid sellers who ask for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrencies—these are major red flags. Protect your wallet and your data while enjoying the sales. Stay vigilant and outsmart the scammers. #CyberSecurity #ScamAlert #BlackFriday #HolidayScams #CyberProtection