Cyber Bytes: Avoid scammers this Christmas

Welcome to Cyber Bytes, a regular newsletter which gives you easy-to-understand cyber security advice, and tells you what steps you can take to protect yourself online.

In this issue:

• Why do scammers love Christmas?

• How can I spot a suspicious advert?

• How can I check an advert is genuine?

• What can I do next?

Why do scammers love Christmas?

For most of us, Christmas is about spending time with loved ones. It's a time where we spread festive cheer, and exchange gifts. But for scammers, Christmas means one thing: more chances to find their next victim.

Fraudsters love Christmas because they rely on their victims making emotional decisions. As enjoyable as Christmas is, it can also be stressful. We may be worried about how many presents we need to buy, and how costly they are. We may be rushing to get everything read ahead of the big day.

Being stressed, worried, or rushed means that we're more likely to act quickly. Acting quickly means we're less likely to ask questions or check details. And that makes scammers’ lives easier.

Scammers will often post fake adverts for high-demand goods that don't exist. It could be the latest games console, designer clothing, or expensive jewellery. It doesn't matter what the item is: what matters is that people are willing to pay for it.

What happens next may differ. A scammer may take your payment upfront and then disappear. They may send you a payment link that asks for your personal information. But once they have your information, they can use it access your accounts and steal money.

But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and make this Christmas a little bit less merry for scammers.

How can I spot a suspicious advert?

If you see an advert online or on social media, there are signs you can look for.

Bargain prices: Scammers will often advertise low prices to tempt shoppers. If the price seems too good to be true, there’s a very good chance that it is.

Pressure tactics: Scammers may use language designed to pressure you into buying. They may say: "this must be sold by tomorrow" or "very few copies left" or "exclusive offer." They use these phrases to pressure you, and stop you asking sensible questions.

Images that don’t look right: Scammers will often use stock or low-quality images as part of their scams, and it often shows. For example, someone selling on a Jersey social media group may use a photo that clearly wasn’t taken in Jersey. A scam website may use a logo you recognise, but it may be look ‘fuzzy’ or distorted.

Being directed off site: A scammer may direct you to a link to complete your purchase. They'll likely say this is to make payment easier, but it could be a link designed to capture your personal information. Once they have your personal information and bank details, they can use it to impersonate you or steal money.

How can I check an advert is genuine?

Luckily, there are several ways you can check that you aren’t falling victim to a scam. These steps don’t take long, but they could protect you from losing a significant amount of money.

1 - Research the company and/or the seller

If you're buying from a company, they should have a website or social media channels. They may also have reviews from people who have purchased their products. If a company or seller does not have any of these, they may be a scammer.

2 - Check their profile

If you’re buying from an individual via social media, take some time to check their profile. Do they have a photo and details associated with their account? Do they have recent activity? Is it clear that they’re based in Jersey? If the answer to these questions is no, they may be a scammer.

3- Break contact and don’t click on any links

If you are being pressured to enter your details on an unfamiliar site, don’t click on the link. The fraudsters may use this link to try and get your personal details, which they can use to steal money.

4- Protect your account with 2-Step Verification (2SV)

2SV asks to confirm your identity more than once when you log in to a device, website, or service. This means that even if a scammer has access to your password, it’ll be harder for them to access your account. We talked about 2SV in a previous issue of Cyber Bytes, which you can read here.

What can I do next?

If you’re the victim of a fraud over the Christmas season, you shouldn’t feel ashamed. Criminals work hard to make their scams targeted and convincing: it’s how they make their money.

If you are the victim of a fraud, you should contact the States of Jersey Police on +44(0)1534 612612, or visit Police Headquarters.

Remember, if you find a cyber scam that you think might pose a serious risk to you or others, you can report it to JCSC using our contact details ( seebelow). The information you share may prevent other Islanders from becoming the next target.

You can also find out more using these resources below: