Stay Safe for the Holidays

Cybercriminals Don’t Take Holidays

Cybercrime is, unfortunately, always on the rise. Last year, individuals were scammed out of over $12.5 billion—a 22% increase from 2022. As the holiday season reaches its peak, cybercriminals are ramping up their efforts to exploit consumers through scams and fraudulent activities. But you can outsmart them by staying informed and vigilant.

Here are some essential tips to protect yourself:

Strengthen Your Security
Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and keep your devices updated. A VPN can add an extra layer of protection for online shopping.

Avoid Unsolicited Requests
Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Verify Websites and Emails
Navigate to websites manually—don’t click on links from emails or messages unless you’re certain they’re legitimate.

Contact Businesses Yourself
Whether it’s a bank or retailer, always initiate contact through verified numbers and emails instead of relying on random, unsolicited communications.

Don’t Trust Caller ID
Scammers nowadays can spoof phone numbers to appear legitimate. If you’re unsure, hang up and call back using a number from the company’s official website.

Protect Sensitive Information
Never share sensitive data, such as passwords, card numbers or Social Security numbers, unless you’re certain of the recipient’s legitimacy. As a reminder for Primis customers, our team will never ask you for this information over the phone, email or text—see our blog about what you WON’T be asked to stay up to date.

Practice Smart Online Habits
Be cautious about what you share online, especially on social media, and only shop from reputable merchants. Remember, cybercriminals will often use exaggerated language to trick victims into their scams. Words like “act now”, “last chance”, or “urgent” are very common in scam attempts.

Even though you may be taking some time off from work or travelling for the holiday season, scammers aren’t. Following best practices and slowing things down can help protect your information and accounts from cybercriminals.

We wish you a safe, festive holiday season and happy new year!

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The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.