FBI Urgently Warns Chrome, Safari, and Edge Users: Beware of Scammers Targeting You

The holiday shopping season is here, but online scammers are also on the rise, targeting shoppers with fraudulent websites and emails. According to a Forbes report, there has been an alarming 89% increase in such websites compared to last year, with nearly 80% of shopping-related emails flagged as scams. Even trusted Google search results are being manipulated to redirect users to harmful sites.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a warning to online shoppers, urging them to stay vigilant and follow safety tips to avoid falling victim to these scams during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the rest of the holiday season. The agency highlights precautions such as being wary of deals that seem too good to be true and avoiding non-delivery, non-payment, auction fraud, and gift card fraud scams.

In 2023, non-payment and non-delivery scams alone cost people more than $309 million, with credit card fraud accounting for an additional $173 million in losses. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) typically receives a surge in complaints in the early months of the year, suggesting a correlation with holiday season shopping scams.

With online shopping becoming increasingly popular, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is essential for consumers to protect themselves from falling victim to these scams. By following the FBI’s safety guidelines and staying alert, shoppers can ensure a safe and enjoyable online shopping experience this holiday season.

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