The month of December floods our inboxes with Christmas discounts and deals. It is also a time when fraudsters are much more active. Every year, thousands of cases of fraud are reported in connection with Christmas shopping and other major sales holidays. Follow the advice in this article to avoid being scammed.

During Christmas, we are attracted by the stores’ deals, discounts and offers. But then fraudsters also take advantage of being deceived. It can be about fake ads and offers, links that lead you to fake websites, or scam text messages and emails with information about goods that you never ordered. Often the fraudsters are looking for the same thing – to get hold of your money and card details. Maybe at best you get a bad pirated copy or at worst no product at all.

A third of people do not check the websites they shop on and 71 percent do not have their payment card blocked for internet purchases and are therefore at greater risk of being cheated out of their money, shows an annual demoskop survey carried out by SSF Stöldskyddsföreningen.

In order not to fall into the fraudster’s trap, it is important to be skeptical and extra vigilant when you come across an offer, especially if it sounds too good to be true. Search for reviews and other consumers’ experiences. Blocking your payment card for internet purchases is a simple but effective measure to protect yourself, as it prevents a fraudster from being able to shop with your card if they get hold of your card details.

Tips for safer shopping:

  • Be skeptical – if an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
  • Check the website – always search for information about a website before shopping there.
  • Delete suspicious messages – if you receive a message about a delivery you did not order, delete it immediately.
  • Be careful with links – do not click on links unless you are absolutely sure of the sender.
  • Contact the company – contact the seller or shipping company if you have questions about your delivery.
  • Block the card for internet purchases – with this simple measure, you can prevent your card details from being used.
  • Contact the bank directly – if you suspect that you have been scammed or made an incorrect payment, contact your bank immediately.

By paying attention and following these tips, you can avoid becoming a victim of fraud during Christmas and similar sales holidays. Good luck and shop safely!

For more information and online safety tips, check out Säkerhetskollen.