Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, filled with joy, celebrations and gift giving. The festive season also causes a significant increase in scams. We have all experienced the rush for last-minute gifts and limited time sales, all leading to high pressure shopping causing people to fall victim to scams very easily.

 

Highlighted below are common scams to watch out for this Christmas and how Cyber Skills can help you shop safely online- www.checkmylink.ie . This tool was created by Cyber Skills, MTU in collaboration with Scam Adviser and An Garda Síochána, CheckMyLink ensures you’re shopping on legitimate websites. We want to help you stay cyber-safe this Christmas.

 

AI technology has benefited many aspects of day to day life, but unfortunately the same applies to scammers who are also using it to create highly convincing scam messages. These messages mimic communication from trusted sources like your bank, favourite brands or delivery services. If something feels off, don’t click links or share personal information. Always verify the source.

 

Scammers set up fake websites that look identical to real online stores that you may be familiar with. They offer shoppers attractive deals to scam them for money or personal information. Before making a purchase, enter the website’s URL into CheckMyLink. This tool scans the site to confirm it’s genuine and free from malware.

 

Scammers send fake emails or text messages claiming that your package couldn’t be delivered by your carrier, urging you to click a link to “resolve” the issue. These links often lead to phishing sites or install malware on your device. Ensure to only track your packages directly through the retailer’s website, test the website through CheckMyLink.

 

People want to give to those in need around Christmas. Scammers create fake organisations or impersonate legitimate ones, using emotional appeals to convince people to donate. To ensure your money reaches those in need, donate directly through official charity websites and avoid third-party links. Avoid scanning QR codes from unsolicited messages or unknown sources. 

 

Feel secure this Christmas with CheckMyLink, a simple yet powerful tool designed to help you shop with confidence. Don’t let scammers ruin your Christmas. From all of us at Cyber Skills, we wish you a cyber safe and scam-free Christmas and New Year. Protect yourself and your loved ones by staying vigilant during your online shopping and ensuring your donations go to the right places.

 

We wish you a Cyber-Safe Christmas. Visit https://check.cyberskills.ie/ now.