Holiday Scams

How to Protect Your Computer from Holiday Scams

The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but also a time of increased online activity and potential risks. Cybercriminals take advantage of the surge in online shopping, travel, and charitable giving to launch various scams that can compromise your computer and your personal information.

According to the FBI, some of the most common holiday scams include¹:

• Online shopping scams: Fake websites that offer popular items at low prices, but never deliver them or steal your credit card information.
• Phishing scams: Emails or texts that pretend to be from legitimate companies or organizations and ask you to click on a link or provide sensitive information.
• Delivery notification scams: Messages that claim to be from delivery services and ask you to pay a fee or confirm your details to receive your package.
• Gift card scams: Requests to pay with gift cards for taxes, bills, or other expenses, or offers to buy or sell gift cards at a discount.
• Charity scams: Appeals to donate to fake charities or causes, especially through social media or crowdfunding platforms.

These scams can cause you to lose money, damage your computer, or expose your identity to fraudsters. To avoid becoming a victim of holiday scams, you should follow these tips:

• Shop only from trusted and secure websites. Check the URL and look for the “https” and the padlock icon. Compare prices and reviews from different sources. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
• Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. They may contain malware or direct you to phishing sites. Instead, type the website address directly in your browser or contact the sender by phone or another method.
• Verify the sender and the content of any delivery notification. Do not pay any fees or provide any information without confirming the status of your order. If you are not expecting a package, delete the message or report it as spam.
• Use gift cards only for their intended purpose. Don’t use them to pay for anything else, and don’t share the card number or PIN with anyone. If you want to buy or sell gift cards, use only reputable platforms or retailers.
• Research the charity or the cause before donating. Look for their official website, mission statement, and financial reports. Don’t rely on emotional appeals or social pressure. Don’t donate with cash, gift cards, or wire transfers.

If you suspect that you have been scammed or your computer has been compromised, you should take immediate action to limit the damage. Some steps you can take are:

• Contact your bank or credit card company and dispute any fraudulent charges. Monitor your accounts and credit reports for any suspicious activity.
• Scan your computer with reliable antivirus software and remove any malware. Change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication for your online accounts.
• Report the scam to the authorities and the platforms involved. You can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov¹ or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov².

At AM Computers, we care about your computers and your security. We offer a range of computer repair and maintenance services, including virus removal, data recovery, hardware upgrade, and OS Set up. We also provide expert advice and guidance on how to protect your computer from online threats and scams.

If you need any help with your computer or have any questions, please contact us at 845 462-2060 or visit us at AMCOMPUTERSNY.COM. We are ready to serve you.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season!