OKWNEWS is not affilated with NORD VPN, nor do we recommend this service. We are publishing this as informational only to help our readers be informed about the possibilities of falling victim to online shopping scams.
- As momentum builds for the post-holiday sales, recent research highlights that 33 million Americans have been a victim of online shopping scams during a sales event.
- While a quarter of victims (25%) encountered scams during sales events, nearly half are still planning on taking advantage of the festive sales
- Despite a growing awareness of online security, a staggering 87% of bargain hunters remain willing to share at least one personal detail to secure a better deal.
- NordVPN urges shoppers to remain vigilant against potential threats like fake websites and protect their personal information when shopping online
New York, 21 December 2023 — As one of the year’s most significant sales events approaches, a recent survey by NordVPN reveals that approximately 33 million Americans have fallen victim to online shopping scams during a sales event.
According to the survey, two fifths of Americans (40%) have encountered online shopping scams, marking a 3% increase from estimates a year ago. The data points to an alarming trend that found a quarter of Americans have faced such scams during the post-holiday sales period, as well as on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
With festivities now in full swing, cyber scammers are eyeing almost half of Americans planning to participate in the post-holiday sales event. Nearly half (48%) of U.S. shoppers intend to hit the online sales – 5% more than last year – while an additional 35% are yet to finalize their plans.
The survey also reveals that a staggering 87% of Americans are willing to share some personal data to secure a bonus gift, discount, or free service.
The survey of online shoppers found that 5% would disclose their credit card details, 2% their social security number, and 12% their workplace information. Additionally, 4% would even reveal their children’s names in pursuit of an extra bargain.
As the post-holiday sales season approaches, consumers are urged to exercise caution and prioritize their online security. The experts at global cybersecurity company
Adrianus Warmenhoven, cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, comments: “While the holiday season is mostly a day for spending with our loved ones, it’s famously a prime opportunity for millions of shoppers to grab a bargain. Sadly, there are plenty of scammers out there waiting to seize the moment and spoil your fun.
“As you browse the sales, keep in mind that if an offer seems too good to be true or a website is requesting an excessive amount of personal information for a deal, chances are it’s a scam.
“Make sure you use secure websites and trusted sellers, and be cautious about sites that demand more information than necessary. If a good deal comes at the cost of your personal details, it’s because that information holds significant value for them.
“With 33 million people in the US claiming to have been a victim of an online shopping scam during a sales event, it’s crucial to keep your security in mind. Discounts and time-limited offers are in abundance at this time of year and it’s all too easy to click impulsively and end up regretting it further down the line.”
How to protect yourself from this year’s online shopping scams
- Only give as much information as needed: A legitimate website will only request details needed to make a transaction and ship your order.
- Check the URL: Without knowing it, you may have stumbled onto a fraudulent website that is taking advantage of a URL that is similar to a well-known brand, known as typosquatting. Watch out for the likes of ‘Amazun.com’ or ‘n1ke.com’, as they are likely a front to con you out of money. If you receive an email advertising post-holiday sales with a link to a deal and notice that the URL is shorter than usual, be cautious – while many are genuine, this can be a tactic used to dupe consumers or infect a device with malware. If you’re unsure, do an online search for the company’s website or enter the address manually.
- Avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi. It’s generally best to avoid shopping online using public Wi-Fi networks because they typically have weaker security and can be scanned and breached by hackers. If you lack alternatives, VPNs are a way to encrypt your connection and protect your data.
- Use tools to protect your online shopping experience. While hackers use AI to automate their attacks, users can also use tools to identify fishy online shopping websites. Tools like NordVPN’s Threat Protection help flag suspicious webpages and protect users from being scammed.
- Monitor your bank statements. One of the best ways to ensure you aren’t being scammed is by monitoring your bank statements online or via mobile banking. Doing this allows you to not only keep track of purchases and costs but can also help you respond quickly in case you notice a suspicious transaction.
About NordVPN
NordVPN is the world’s most advanced VPN service provider, used by millions of internet users worldwide. NordVPN provides double VPN encryption and Onion Over VPN and guarantees privacy with zero tracking. One of the key features of the product is Threat Protection, which blocks malicious websites, malware during downloads, trackers, and ads. NordVPN is very user friendly, offers one of the best prices on the market, and has over 5,000 servers in 60 countries worldwide. For more information: https://nordvpn.com.
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