The holiday shopping season, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday, has become a prime time for scammers. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Surge in Scam Websites: Reports indicate that scam websites have surged by 89% compared to last year. These sites often mimic legitimate retailers to trick shoppers into providing personal and financial information.
2. Fraudulent Offers: Nearly 80% of shopping offers hitting inboxes are fraudulent. These offers can appear as enticing deals but often lead to phishing sites or malware.
3. Common Scams: The FBI has highlighted several common scams, including non-delivery scams, non-payment scams, auction fraud, and gift card fraud. These scams can result in significant financial losses.
4. Safety Tips: To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of websites before making a purchase. Look for secure connections (https and a padlock icon), check reviews, and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.

Staying vigilant and practicing good cybersecurity hygiene can help you avoid falling victim to these scams.

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now here, it is clear that the dangers facing online shoppers are greater than ever and getting rapidly worse. The latest reports suggest scam websites have surged 89% over last year, and almost 80% of shopping offers hitting inboxes are fraudulent.

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