Holiday-season scams rise as fraudsters target a broad audience
As holidays approach, scammers become more active, aiming to reach people across genders and ages. Vitaly Fomin, an information security expert at the Digital Economy League, spoke with socialbites.ca about the most common holiday scams and how they unfold for ordinary shoppers in North America and beyond.
One notable tactic is the use of contextual advertising to drive unsuspecting users to phishing pages. In practice, a person might see an ad that aligns with their interests, increasing the likelihood of clicking to buy a product. But the site behind the ad may be controlled by fraudsters intent on stealing personal information or money. Contextual advertising itself isn’t dangerous, yet it can be weaponized as a deception tool, according to Fomin.
Regarding early March, the expert notes that scammers often focus on men, who are perceived as more likely to buy gifts for quick profit. The pre-holiday wave features popular temptations such as flowers and curated gift boxes with home delivery, a trend driven by the desire to secure a fast, convenient present. In some cases, fraudsters extend this approach to offer weekend getaways, especially when they have data about a user’s preferences and can tailor ads to seem relevant. Attacks can escalate quickly: a trained attacker may infer tastes, then deploy a range of schemes, including phone-based malware, compromised databases from public sources, or data obtained from the dark web.
New fraud schemes are increasingly designed to extract card details and account information directly from individuals. Fomin predicts a growing role for artificial intelligence in these scams, noting a measurable uptick last year in AI-assisted fraud, which aligns with rising financial losses reported by consumers.
Basic precautions are essential to reduce risk. Before making a purchase, it helps to verify that a site has been registered for at least six months; fraudsters often set up fake storefronts just before holidays. A site should raise genuine concern if it is two weeks old or younger. The presence of the secure HTTPS protocol, visible in the address bar, is another critical sign; sites using HTTP without the secure layer should not be trusted for payments. Consumers also benefit from checking whether a site’s appearance resembles legitimate online stores, since scammers can copy front-end content from real pages. The address itself may differ by even a single character, which can be a telltale clue of a counterfeit site.
To further guard against manipulation, Fomin advises evaluating the market price of the product in question. When margins are thin, a seller offering a dramatically discounted price can be a warning sign. In general, contextual ads should not prompt users to share sensitive information unrelated to a purchase. Shoppers should approach each online interaction with a sober, critical mindset and avoid divulging bank details over the phone. If a product page shows a countdown indicating an imminent promotional price end, it is prudent to decline the bargain.
In summary, staying vigilant around gift-giving holidays requires a blend of skepticism, careful site verification, and awareness of AI-driven fraud trends. By focusing on trusted sources, corroborating offers through independent checks, and avoiding hasty decisions, consumers in North America can reduce exposure to holiday scams while still enjoying the convenience of online shopping.