The holiday season is a great time to spend quality time with family and friends, but it also comes with an increased risk of mobile fraud while shopping online. Scammers target online shoppers in various ways, including phishing, smishing, and vishing scams, as well as location spoofing and account takeovers.
According to Appdome’s U.S. Consumer Survey, 60.6% of Americans say fraud is their biggest concern when it comes to mobile apps. The survey also found that 40% of global consumers reported being directly affected by mobile fraud, malware, or cyberattacks.
To protect yourself from these scams, experts recommend the following:
1) Shop on trusted mobile apps, such as Amazon, eBay, and Walmart, which clearly communicate their commitment to security through visible privacy policies.
2) Watch out for phishing, smishing, and vishing scams, which can trick you into sharing sensitive information. Verify the authenticity of emails, texts, or calls before clicking links or sharing details.
3) Be cautious about the permissions you grant to apps, as they can be abused by malware to collect sensitive data. Only grant permissions that align with the app’s purpose.
4) Protect your financial information by using secure websites (https) and avoiding saving payment details in apps or on websites unless they are trustworthy.
By following these tips, you can stay safe while shopping online this holiday season. Remember, it’s essential to choose brands that prioritize security and take tangible actions to protect users.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/tech/steps-protect-yourself-while-shopping-your-phone-holiday-season