With the holiday season now underway, Visa, the global leader in digital payments, reminds shoppers to stay vigilant amidst a rise in fraud schemes. Visa’s Payment Ecosystem Risk and Control (PERC) team released the 2024 Holiday Threats Report, outlining common methods fraudsters use to steal money, data, and account details while people plan their festivities.

Top Holiday Shopping Scams one should be aware of are:

• ⁠Phishing and Social Engineering

Scammers impersonate trusted sources to steal personal information through emails, texts, and calls. Consumers should be wary of common scams to obtain financial details, like include emails/texts about fraudulent Black Friday deals, travel discounts, and package delivery updates. They also orchestrate more sophisticated frauds like digital arrests where one is held ransom through their phone on false pretexts that can be very harrowing for the lay consumer.

Fraudsters also use real platforms to post fake job ads and demand payments for false expenses like background checks. Consumers should also be careful before donating to charities they don’t know.

• ⁠Scam Websites

Fake online stores and imitations of real brands are a growing threat in ecommerce. Such sites have increased with scammers building almost legitimate looking websites, and using search engines and social media ads to attract buyers with unrealistic deals on luxury or popular items, with no delivery of goods. Consequently, victims could either lose money or share sensitive information that fraudsters use for other nefarious activities.

• Travel Scams

The holiday season sees many fraudulent travel websites positioned as authentic and appealing, with deals like “last minute price drop”.  Scammers make these websites as close to real as possible and offer discounts on travel-related expenses like flights, taxis and hotels. Consumers may also receive phishing emails with fake flight cancellation notices and be asked to pay for rebooking, or see advertisements with fake vacation rentals at low prices, that collect deposits for non-existent properties. Consumers should steer clear of malicious festival-based apps like Santa Trackers or holiday planners that are loaded with malware. These apps can steal login and payment details once downloaded.

• Theft and Skimming

Always be vigilant in busy malls and public spaces that are hotspots for thieves. Common risks include physical theft or pickpocketing of cards and wallets. Beware of skimming devices fitted on legitimate ATMs or payment terminals to collect card information; always choose to tap and pay where possible.

How you can stay safe:

Visa offers these tips to protect yourself during the holiday season.

• Don’t click on links in unsolicited/unknown emails or texts.
• Check websites for legitimacy before making purchases. Genuine URLs will ideally start with “https://”.
• Use only trusted platforms or agents for travel bookings.
• Keep wallets and devices secure in crowded places.
• Report suspicious activity at ATMs or payment terminals immediately to the nearest authority.

As a shopper, stay alert and informed to shop and spend safely and enjoy a worry-free holiday season!

For more tips, visit Visa’s website and for more information on scams, read the 2024 Holiday Threats Report by Visa.