The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said that people should to look out for scams designed to steal your money and personal information.
The FBI message is particularly important during this holiday season where many people will be venturing online to shop for gifts for their loved ones.
Surprisingly, some online sites can appear legitimate, but an examination of details and looking out for hints can make the difference between getting scammed and being a satisfied customer making off with a good purchase.
Reacting to monies lost in online shopping scams, Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI Memphis Field Office said:
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), in 2020, Tennesseans lost over $40,191,616 due to a variety of scams,” said Douglas Korneski, special agent in charge of the FBI Memphis Field Office.
Remain vigilant and if you believe you have been the victim of a scam, report it to the FBI at IC3.gov.
In order to assist members of the public, the FBI offered the below tips on how to avoid being a scam victim:
Practice good cybersecurity hygiene
- Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Phishing scams and similar crimes get you to click on links and give up personal information like your name, password, and bank account number. In some cases, you may unknowingly download malware to your device.
- Be especially wary if a company asks you to update your password or account…
