Cyber Expert Warns of Holiday Shopping Scams Targeting Israelis
As Israelis gear up for the High Holidays, a period marked by increased online shopping for gifts and deals, cyber expert Osher Cohen is warning of a surge in phishing attempts. Cohen, founder of Yo Secure, explains that the festive rush and the abundance of promotional messages make consumers more vulnerable to clicking malicious links that aim to steal credit card details, passwords, and social media accounts.
These scams often begin with seemingly innocuous messages via SMS, WhatsApp, email, or social media ads, promising significant discounts or gift vouchers. However, Cohen notes that these offers can lead to fake websites designed to mimic legitimate retailers. These fraudulent sites often look identical to the real ones, making it difficult to spot the deception. The primary goal is to trick users into voluntarily providing sensitive personal and financial information.
Beyond online shopping sites, Cohen highlights that phishing attempts are also targeting social media accounts like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Scammers may send alerts about potential account suspension, offer verification badges, or propose business collaborations, all designed to elicit login credentials and verification codes. For business owners and content creators, losing control of these accounts can be devastating, impacting clients, reputation, and years of work.
Cohen advises consumers to exercise caution: avoid clicking directly on links in promotional messages. Instead, he recommends navigating directly to the official website or app of the company to verify the offer. He stresses the importance of scrutinizing website addresses for subtle differences and never sharing verification codes with anyone, even those claiming to be support staff. Connecting social media accounts to unfamiliar external systems should also raise a red flag.
If personal or financial information has already been compromised, Cohen suggests immediate action. Contacting the credit card company to review recent charges and potentially block the card is crucial. For compromised digital accounts, changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and reviewing connected devices and applications are recommended steps. Cohen concludes that these attacks exploit moments of reduced vigilance, urging consumers to pause and verify their source before entering any sensitive information online.
