Phishing emails and fake adverts flood inboxes this Christmas

Phishing emails and fake adverts flood inboxes this Christmas - and they’re getting harder to detect than ever News Ellen Jennings-Trace published Thousands of scam adverts are published every day, experts warn Study finds Christmas parcel scams have doubled year-on-year Over 33,500 phishing attacks have been distributed so far Parcel scams, fake giveaways, and false retailer sites are ones to look out for The holiday season always provides serious opportunities for scammers, who take advantage of the existing sale season, rise in legitimate ads, and general urgency to buy - but this year though, that’s been accelerated by (you guessed it) AI. Previously, scammers had to take time and effort to create convincing looking phishing attacks or fake web pages - requiring a certain level of skill to trick unsuspecting internet users. But now, all criminals need is AI. New Check Point research found this Christmas season has already seen over 33,500 holiday-themed phishing attacks distributed, as well as over 10,000 seasonal-themed social media adverts flagged as suspicious. Aura Identity Theft: at Aura Inc Save up to 68% for TechRadar readers on Aura's Identity theft protection TechRadar editors praise Aura's upfront pricing and simplicity. Aura also includes a password manager, VPN, and antivirus to make its security solution an even more compelling deal. What to look for The researchers identify three particularly common scams this time of year; postage phishing attacks, fake retail sites, and social media ‘giveaways’. AI has enhanced the effectiveness of each of these attacks, but there are still ways to identify a scam. Most of us will have experienced a parcel scam in recent years, and admittedly, even I have come close to falling for some of these - so be careful, as researchers have seen these scams double since last year. It usually consists of a fake text or email from a number claiming to be Royal Mail, FedEx, UPS, or the like - letting you know you’ve missed a parcel, or need to provide more information to the courier. It will provide a link, which will eventually lead to credential theft or even payment fraud. There’s been a similar rise in fake retail sites with huge ‘Christmas deals’, often with AI-driven chat assistants to feign real customer service. These will urge you to take advantage of deals while they last, ultimately stealing your payment information and personal data. Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Similarly, social media ‘giveaways’ spike in and around the holidays, promising enticing prizes, but winners (everyone) must pay a ‘delivery fee’ which they will steal, alongside your card details. Staying safe The trick to staying safe from these is to understand them, be vigilant, and be wary of anything you’re not expecting, or that feels too good to be true. Most of us will be ordering a parcel in some form or another, so make sure to check the official retailer’s correspondence to check...

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