FBI Issues Urgent Warning for Online Shoppers to Stay Safe This Holiday Season

As the festive shopping season kicks off, the FBI has issued a critical warning to users of popular web browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge about the growing threat of online scams. With fraudulent websites on the rise, online shoppers are being urged to exercise caution and follow safety measures to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals.

According to recent data, there has been an alarming 89% increase in fake websites compared to last year. Additionally, nearly 80% of shopping-related emails have been flagged as potential scams. Even legitimate-looking search results are being exploited to mislead users into visiting malicious sites.

The FBI cautions shoppers against offers that seem “too good to be true,” emphasizing the need for vigilance during this high-risk period. The warning highlights common types of holiday scams, such as:

• Non-delivery scams: Buyers pay for products or services that never arrive.
• Non-payment scams: Sellers ship goods but do not receive the promised payment.
• Auction fraud: Items purchased through online auctions may be misrepresented or fake.
• Gift card fraud: Scammers request payments through prepaid cards, which are hard to trace.

In 2023 alone, non-payment and non-delivery scams caused losses exceeding $309 million, while credit card fraud accounted for $173 million in damages.

To protect yourself, the FBI recommends the following steps:

• Verify the legitimacy of websites before making any purchase.
• Avoid clicking on unsolicited email links.
• Use secure payment methods like credit cards for online transactions.
• Keep software and browsers updated to minimize vulnerabilities.

Stay cautious and enjoy a safe and secure holiday shopping experience. For further details, visit the FBI's official website.