As the holiday season approaches, many shoppers eagerly anticipate Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, ready to score bargains and gifts. However, this festive period also marks a peak time for cybercriminal activity. A recent report by the Wall Street Journal highlights a crucial warning: be very cautious about trusting the “unsubscribe” links found at the bottom of promotional emails. These seemingly harmless options can sometimes be exploited by scammers to confirm your email address is active, leading to more targeted phishing attempts.
The holiday season is not only the happiest time of the year but also one of the riskiest for online activity. Cybercriminals prepare in advance, leveraging stolen personal data to craft convincing scams that can easily fool even cautious shoppers. From fake websites and unbelievable deals to fraudulent emails that closely mimic those from legitimate retailers, scammers ramp up their efforts to trick consumers into revealing sensitive information or making purchases that never arrive.
One key point that many people overlook is that scammers often don’t rely on chance or random guessing. Instead, they frequently already have access to your personal information before you even start shopping. This data includes leaked email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, and other details collected by data brokers—companies that compile and sell detailed profiles on millions of individuals. These profiles enable scammers to send highly realistic “order confirmations,” false delivery alerts, and urgent payment requests that appear legitimate, increasing the chances of a victim falling prey to the scam.
### The Rise of Phantom Stores and Fake Websites
During the holiday shopping rush, the surge of promotions creates a perfect environment for “phantom stores” to thrive. These fraudulent websites imitate the appearance and product listings of well-known brands, luring shoppers with attractive discounts and clearance offers. Once a purchase is made on these sites, the buyer never receives the order because the store doesn’t actually exist.
For example, fake IKEA websites such as “ikeaa-sale.com” and “ikea-blackfriday.shop” have appeared in past years, copying IKEA’s official website design, product images, logos, and promotional banners. These sites aimed to steal credit card information from shoppers enticed by seemingly great deals. Although authorities eventually shut down these scams, the damage to consumers who fell victim was already done.
To avoid falling prey to phantom stores, always double-check the website’s URL and only shop through official retailer websites or their verified social media pages. Be especially cautious of URLs that have extra letters, misspellings, or unusual domain extensions.
### Data Leaks Fuel Realistic Scams
Many popular shopping apps have been found to sell user location data and other personal information to third parties, making it easier for scammers to create realistic scam messages. For instance, the shopping app Temu has been a favorite target for scammers, who use leaked data to send texts claiming, “Your order couldn’t be delivered.” These messages often include phishing links designed to install malware or steal more personal data.
Temu itself warns users about the couriers they partner with, signaling the risks involved. To protect yourself, always verify the legitimacy of any text messages or emails by checking directly on the retailer’s official website or contacting their customer service. Do not click on suspicious links or download attachments from unverified sources.
### Phishing Emails Masquerading as Trusted Brands
Phishing scams remain a prevalent threat, especially during the holiday season. Scammers craft emails that appear to come from trusted brands like Amazon, using urgent language and prompting recipients to click on malicious links to check their “order status” or “payment issues.” These emails are designed to steal login credentials, credit card details, or to install malware.
Amazon, being one of the largest online retailers, is frequently impersonated because many people have accounts there, making the emails seem less suspicious. However, phishing emails often have telltale signs, such as misspelled domain names, poor grammar, or requests for personal information that the real company would not ask for via email.
The best defense is to never click on suspicious links and always verify the sender’s email address. If you receive an unexpected message about an order, log in to your retailer account directly through the official website rather than through email links.
### Understanding How Your Data Is Collected and Used
Every online store collects some level of data about its customers — from contact information and shopping habits to payment details. However, some companies gather far more data than consumers realize and use it for targeted marketing or sell it to other entities. A famous example is the Target data