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FBI Warns Holiday Shoppers of Rising Online Scams

With an 89% increase in fraudulent websites, officials urge vigilance during record-breaking online holiday shopping season.

The FBI seal is pictured in Omaha, Neb., Aug. 10, 2022.
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Law enforcement shares tips and advice when making holiday purchases this year to avoid theft, scams and fraud. 
New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Overview

  • The FBI has issued a warning about common holiday scams, including non-delivery, non-payment, auction fraud, and gift card fraud, which cost consumers over $480 million in 2023.
  • Cybersecurity experts report an 89% surge in scam websites impersonating legitimate brands, with nearly 80% of shopping-related emails being fraudulent this season.
  • Consumers are advised to verify website URLs, avoid suspicious links, and use secure payment methods like credit cards to reduce risk.
  • Mobile shopping, expected to account for 53.2% of holiday online sales, poses heightened risks due to smaller screens and truncated URLs making scams harder to detect.
  • Authorities recommend reporting scams immediately, freezing compromised accounts, and gathering evidence to mitigate losses and prevent further fraud.