The biggest two shopping days of the summer are about to get underway, but it’s important to be cautious of emails and texts regarding them. While many are authentic and offer real deals, some may not be, as warned by cybersecurity provider Check Point Software Technologies.
Beware of fake sales and copycat websites
Shoppers everywhere are gearing up for Prime Day sales on July 16 and 17.
Prime member Trey Morgan wants to ensure that the discounts are genuine. “You always wonder if the price was inflated and then discounted for Prime Day, like many companies do,” he said.
However, the main concern isn’t about Prime Day preparations, but rather the criminals who are also preparing, according to Check Point.
In June alone, Check Point identified over 1,200 new website domains associated with Amazon, with 85% of them being flagged as malicious or suspected to be malicious. Jeremy Fuchs, lead researcher for email security at Check Point, advises carefully examining the sender’s email address for misspellings or added characters and hovering over links to check their destination before clicking.
“Any email can be spoofed and is potentially a threat,” Fuchs stated. “The brief 10 seconds spent on these simple checks are far less time than dealing with the potential consequences.”
Beware of fake delivery text messages
Meanwhile, with more deliveries expected at your doorstep, Melanie McGovern from the Better Business Bureau emphasizes the importance of keeping track of the delivery notifications you have signed up for.
“People often get confused when they receive a text message,” McGovern noted. “They recognize that a product is on the way and without second thought, click on the link, potentially exposing themselves to malware or divulging personal information.”
While Prime Day is an exciting time for shoppers, it’s crucial to ensure that scammers don’t drain your bank account before you even get to enjoy the deals.
_________________________________
“Don’t Waste Your Money” is a registered trademark of Scripps Media, Inc. (“Scripps”).
Follow John:
For more consumer news and money-saving advice, visit www.dontwasteyourmoney.com
Watch more Don’t Waste Your Money
