We wish everyone a merry Christmas - apart from the scammers, of course. Everyone can identify with one or more of below wishes, so read our tips related to each wish for a worry-free celebration.
I wish for ... peace on earth
Not everyone is looking forward to Christmas, but wishing for peace on earth is something anyone can sign up for. Nevertheless, it is important to ensure that any donations to peace on earth do not end up in the wrong hands. Even if the person you meet on the street offers to transfer your money to the organization for you, it is safer to transfer the funds directly yourself to avoid any risk of someone preying on your wallet. Most serious fundraisers also have their own transfer options, so you shouldn't need to let this go through employees' private accounts anyway.
Scammers can also use email, SMS, and social media to make you believe you're donating to charity. It is very easy for a scammer to copy a website so that it looks official. The best way to avoid such trickery is to never donate through links sent to you. Instead, visit the organization's website by typing the website address into the browser.
I wish for ... giving money
For those who know people with money on their wish list, you should pay attention to potential mailbox thieves. These people know that it is common to use mailboxes for gifts, including cash, so it is a good idea to consider alternative ways of delivery.
If you want to give money to someone, the safest delivery is to hand it directly to the recipient. If not, a good alternative is to digitally transfer the money (and possibly the card, if you feel very modern). Keeping valuable items out of mailboxes will help keep mailbox thieves out of business.
I wish for ... a Playstation
For those who dream of a Playstation under the Christmas tree, you may want to think about the way it will be obtained. Many home delivery services are very convenient – you avoid the Christmas rush in stores and save time. If you use these services, you should be home when the package arrives outside your door.
Packages left outside the door can also attract thieves, so they may pay extra attention to your house. Therefore, choose to have the package delivered to a delivery point if you are unsure whether you will be at home. At the delivery points, parcels are well taken care of until you are ready to pick them up.
If you are lucky enough to find a Playstation under the tree or other technical devices that require you to log in, remember to create a unique and strong password (not "Mistletoe2023"...), and use two-factor authentication along with it. Stolen Playstation online accounts are traded on the Internet for a penny on the dollar, so keeping it safe will also keep your gaming progress safe.
I wish for ... fun and a party
Christmas is a time for celebrations, so looking after our valuable items may not be at the top of our minds. PCs and mobile phones should always be locked when you leave them outside your immediate attention. Even if you trust your fellow guests, a curious child who clicks around may suddenly lead to uncontrolled mass sending of emails with jibberish content.
If you are not at home for Christmas, it is good to avoid letting the whole world know the whereabouts of yourself and your family at all times. Use the privacy settings in social media to prevent tipping off those slightly too inspired by the "Home Alone" thieves who would like to get into your house completely unnoticed.
I wish for ... a scam-free holiday
Unfortunately, while we are in the holiday spirit, the bad guys dont take much time off. So keep your healthy cyber security habits during the holidays and be aware and alert of suspicious activity on your digital items.
You might even recognise some of these scam methods from Gollums Christmas Carols?
With this said, we wish you a very happy – and safe – holiday season! 🎅🎄🎁