Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, scammers nipping at your bank account… that might not be the carol you were expecting, but unfortunately it’s the frosty truth.
Most everyone has tons of shopping to do in preparation for holidays, whether they’re buying gifts, decorations, or tickets to visit loved ones. And with so many of these transactions happening online, all these shopping sprees add up to a potential goldmine for scammers.
Don’t let those grinches get you down. Fraud might be out in full force, but some simple cyber hygiene is all it takes to stay safe. In the spirit of the holiday season, we’ve made you a list—check it twice, and you’ll find out which online deals are naughty or nice.
1. All They Want for Christmas is Venmo
Not all payment methods are created equal—and scammers know this all too well. So if a seller is insisting you pay for those stocking stuffers with Zelle, gift cards, Dogecoin, or wire transfer, you should probably steer clear.
Peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App are incredibly handy, but they’re designed for paying your friends for your share of brunch, not for sending money to unknown online sellers. These apps offer you little to no recourse in the event of fraud, so stick to using them with close friends and family. No reputable online retailer will request payment through these apps.
Same goes for wire transfers. Wire transfers of money are irreversible, and next to untraceable to boot. So, they’re a popular choice for cybercriminals, and should be a huge red flag for holiday shoppers. Cryptocurrency is the favorite payment met ..
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