Holiday Shopping Scams: How to Avoid Online Fraud

Common Holiday Scams

• 💡 Be wary of flashy ads and big discounts, as these are common tactics used by holiday scammers.
• ⚠️ Charitable websites are another common scam; always verify the charity and the website before donating.

Verifying Online Sites and Charities

• 🔍 The first step is to take a pause and do your own research on the website or charity.
• 💻 Ensure the URL is spelled correctly and that the website uses HTTPS for secure connections.
• 📌 If a platform seems shaky, even if the website or charity sounds legitimate, verify the platform itself.

Why Shoppers Fall for Scams

• 🎯 Cybercriminals exploit the desire for big deals and lucrative offers.
• ⚡ Scammers often use tactics like QR codes and urgent calls to action to pressure shoppers.
• ⏳ Remember that if you miss a deal at one store, you will likely find it at another store.

The Lucrative Nature of Scams

• 💰 Scams are a very lucrative business globally for criminals.
• ⚖️ While consumers need to get it right every time, scammers only need to succeed once or twice to profit significantly.

Mastercard's Role in Fraud Prevention

• 🤖 AI has significantly advanced fraud detection and prevention capabilities for Mastercard.
• 📊 By analyzing numerous data points, including transaction history, user habits, and patterns, AI helps identify fraudulent transactions in seconds.
• 🔒 Mastercard uses AI for threat intelligence, pattern recognition, and to detect if a transaction is truly originating from the customer.

AI's Dual Role in Online Transactions

• 🧠 AI is used by consumers for convenience, such as deciding on purchases.
• ⚠️ Adversaries also use AI to target people, fake websites, and even mimic voices and writing styles.
• ✅ It's crucial to slow down, watch for red flags, and turn on notifications to monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.