Scammers find holiday shopping victims through social media

BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – The holiday season isn’t just a busy time for shoppers; it’s prime time for scammers. According to McAfee Labs, one in three Americans has fallen victim to an online scam during the holiday season.

Experts are predicting record-breaking online sales this holiday season, so scammers are finding more opportunities to target shoppers. In fact, three in five Americans are more worried about it than last year.

“You never can assume that you’re educated enough in scammers’ tactics,” Katalin Parti, VT cybercrime expert, said.

McAfee Labs researchers say more than 100 million people are shopping directly off social media this year, with 12% planning to use TikTok and 7% Instagram. These platforms are full of ads but not all of them are legitimate.

So, how can you tell a real deal from a scam?

“Close the social media site, go to your browser, and type in the company name,” Parti said.

If you’re still not sure, type ‘scam’ after the name. You’ll then find many reviews or reports.

“Like for example,” Parti said, “previous customers are saying it might not be a scam, but in a way their customer service operates, like they never answer or get the package they ordered, it’s a fraudulent organization.”

The truth is, anyone can fall for a scam. That’s why it’s important to stay informed and alert to protect yourself.

“Everyone gets scammed,” Parti said, “it’s not just the vulnerable population. They send out millions of millions of messages and some of us do click on the link and verify our information for the scammers.”

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