Experts share tips for shoppers to avoid
falling victim to this year's top holiday scams
TEMPE,
Ariz. and PRAGUE,
Nov. 14,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American consumers spend more
than $11B on Cyber Monday every year,
representing a 512% increase in daily online shopping activity and
a huge opportunity for savvy scammers to steal away holiday cheer.
In response to the expected increase in holiday cyber-attacks this
season, Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ:
GEN), has officially declared the third Sunday in November as Cyber
Safety Sunday, a day of action for holiday shoppers to prepare
themselves and their devices to confidently shop online.
Norton encourages people to spend some time
on Cyber Safety Sunday prepping for safe online shopping
experiences ahead.
Cyber Safety Sunday officially kicks off Cyber Week, a period
during which 42% of people plan to do the majority of their holiday
shopping, according to recent data from Norton. With one in four
consumers reporting being targeted by scammers last holiday season,
Cyber Safety Sunday reminds shoppers to prioritize their online
safety and implement security measures to protect their personal
and financial information.
"The huge spike in online shopping during the holidays is a huge
opportunity for scammers to ramp up their attacks, which are more
sophisticated and believable than ever," said Iskander Sanchez-Rola, Director of Privacy
Innovation for Norton. "We encourage people to spend time on Cyber
Safety Sunday to understand the most prevalent scams and prepare
for a safe online shopping experience ahead of Cyber Monday and
throughout the gifting season."
While the volume of scam attempts has increased, so have the
success rates of fraudsters, with more than half of all those
targeted becoming victims. Norton experts shared their top five
tips on how to prepare for Cyber Week and defend against scams this
holiday season:
- Make your list and check it twice. Fake online stores
are fast becoming a popular tactic used to fool consumers. Try to
shop exclusively on trusted retail sites that have web addresses
that start with HTTPS. When using a mobile device, use apps
directly provided by retailers rather than shopping from your web
browser. Preparing your gift list in advance can prevent you from
being tricked by a savvy scammer.
- Update and differentiate your passwords for shopping
sites before you start filling your cart. Shopping on password
protected sites can add a layer of protection but not if you use
the same password for multiple sites. Don't give thieves an easy
way into your accounts. Keep track of passwords by using a password
manager, such as Norton Password Manager.
- Set alerts on your accounts to warn you of unusual
activity. If you see something wrong, report it immediately.
Protect your bank account by only using credit cards when shopping
online. Credit card companies have fraud liability
protections that debit cards do not.
- Have a package delivery plan. Keep track of what you
buy, and when and where it is shipping. Postal delivery phishing
scams via text, email or phone call are on the rise. Make sure you
are shipping your gifts to secure locations or mailboxes to thwart
the plans of porch pirates.
- Use software and apps to fortify your
defenses. Install device protection software, such as
Norton 360 Deluxe, to help protect and alert you of potential
scams. Additionally, Norton Genie, a free AI-powered scam
detection app, provides a fast, easy, and free way to check if
something is a scam.
Norton is committed to providing ongoing support and resources
to ensure holiday shoppers have a safe and secure holiday season.
By participating in Cyber Safety Sunday, consumers can make
informed decisions while shopping and contribute to a safer online
shopping environment.
This Cyber Safety Sunday people can visit Norton.com to prepare
for a safe shopping season and safeguard against online holiday
shopping scams. Learn more about the top scams and other holiday
shopping insights by viewing the 2023 Holiday Norton Cyber Safety
Insights Report.
About Norton
Norton is a leader in Cyber Safety, and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ:
GEN), a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom with a
family of trusted consumer brands. Norton empowers millions of
individuals and families with award-winning protection for their
devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton products and services
are certified by independent testing organizations including
AV-TEST, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member
of the Coalition Against Stalkerware. Learn more at
https://us.norton.com/.
Jenna
Torluemke
|
|
Erin
Farkaly
|
Gen
|
|
Edelman for
Gen
|
Jenna.Torluemke@gendigital.com
|
|
Erin.Farkaly@edelman.com
|
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norton-declares-november-26-cyber-safety-sunday-advocating-for-safe-scam-free-online-holiday-shopping-301987098.html
SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.