Phishing, bogus deals, and fake tickets to fireworks shows

Jun 25, 2013 22:41 GMT  ·  By

On July 4, the United States of America celebrates its Independence Day. As with all major holidays, scammers are launching all sorts of malicious schemes hoping they can make an easy profit.

Scambook has published a short advisory to warn users of three scams it’s likely many US citizens will encounter before the holiday.

First, there are the phishing scams. Many Internet users like to send eCards, viral videos, and inspirational stories to their friends. However, in case you receive such a message, be cautious before opening it, since it might be part of a cybercriminal campaign designed to distribute a piece of malware.

Suspicious emails that carry an attachment are usually part of a scam, so you should avoid opening them unless you’re certain they’ve been sent by a friend.

Keeping your antivirus, web browser, and other applications always updated can also keep you out of trouble.

Another type of scam that you should look out for is deceptive deals. Many retailers come up with all sorts of offers to convince people to do some serious shopping.

In many cases, the deals aren’t even that good, but the holiday hype, combined with clever marketing tricks can lead to excessive spending.

To make sure you don’t cross the limit, use prepaid credit cards that will force you to stick to a budget.

As far as online shopping is concerned, try to stick only to the websites of reputable retailers, since a lot of fraudulent online stores will likely emerge during this period.

Finally, beware of counterfeit tickets to special fireworks shows. Fraudsters often try to sell fake tickets via websites such as Craigslist, or in person at the venue.

Victims of such scams end up with fake tickets and it’s unlikely that they’ll ever get their money back.