The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and generosity—but it’s also a prime hunting ground for cybercriminals. To protect yourself, it helps to understand how scammers think. Ask yourself:

What grabs my attention during the holidays?

• Discounts and Sales: Limited-time deals can be irresistible.
• Delivery Issues: A notification about a delayed package might prompt immediate action.
• Unusual Charges: Unexpected payments can lead to panic clicks.
• Giveaways: The lure of free gifts is hard to ignore.

Cybercriminals know these are the topics you care about most. They exploit your emotions and urgency, crafting scams that feel personal and timely.

Common Holiday Scam Examples

Fake Delivery Alerts

A typical scam might look like this:

Once you click the link, you’re prompted to provide personal information like your date of birth, passwords, or credit card number. This information can be used for identity theft or unauthorized transactions.

Social Media Giveaways

You might encounter posts like this:

Clicking the link leads to a form requesting your email, phone number, and home address, which scammers can use for phishing or fraud.

Why Holiday Scams Are So Convincing

People are more distracted and rushed in December than usual. When juggling multiple online orders, a scam notification about a delayed shipment might seem entirely plausible. Similarly, the promise of a free gift card may feel like a small holiday miracle.

Scammers rely on this seasonal goodwill and urgency to slip past your defenses.

Recognizing and Avoiding Scams

Social media platforms are valuable tools to help identify fraud:

• Flagging Fake Posts: Report suspicious giveaways to platforms like Facebook or Instagram.
• Verifying Profiles: Look for verified accounts before engaging with promotions.
• Reading Comments: User feedback often reveals scams before they spread further.

For delivery notifications, always go directly to the retailer’s or courier’s official website instead of clicking links in texts or emails.

Final Thoughts

Thinking like a hacker can help you outsmart them. Ask yourself: Does this feel too urgent or too good to be true? If it does, pause and verify before taking any action.

For a deeper dive into holiday scam prevention, check out SocialProof Security’s video: Holiday Scam Prevention Tips – December 2024.