Holiday Phishing Scams Surge: Guard Your Inbox!

Cybercriminals are intensifying their efforts this holiday season with a surge in sophisticated phishing scams. These deceptive tactics, often powered by artificial intelligence, aim to trick individuals into revealing personal information or downloading malware. Scams are costing consumers dearly, with over $70 million lost to phishing and spoofing in 2024 alone.

Detecting these scams requires a keen eye for detail. Attackers employ tactics like embedding unusual characters such as '@' or question marks in URLs, or using "typo-squatting" where a domain name is slightly altered to appear legitimate. Even short links, common in texts and social media, can be dangerous as their true destination is often hidden.

Beyond links, scams can also infiltrate communications via phone numbers or QR codes. Experts advise extreme caution with unsolicited messages, especially those creating a sense of urgency. Always verify the source and consider copying links to a notes app for inspection before clicking to safeguard against financial loss and identity theft.