Record holiday spending predicted, while cybersecurity experts warn against online scams
December 1, 2024 – Published on WKRC Cincinnati News
The National Retail Federation (NRF) says shoppers are expected to spend a record amount this holiday season. The NRF says spending is expected to reach a record $902 per person. That includes gifts, decorations, food and other seasonal items.
The NRF says that is $25 more compared to last year’s survey—and is $16 higher than the previous record set in 2019.
With the holiday shopping season in full swing, shops and stores will be upping the deals and steals to try and get you to buy. But criminals out there are focusing less on the deals and more on stealing from you or your family.
Cybersecurity expert Paul Keener with GuidePoint Security says there are several different types of scams analysts are seeing so far. He says text messages are becoming more popular for online criminals.
“We’re seeing that through job scams. We’re seeing that through travel scams and now obviously with Cyber Monday, those types of scams are going to pick up through the week and into the next couple of weeks,” Keener said.
Keener says the crooks are using artificial intelligence to make the attacks ever more difficult to spot, including making fake websites mimicking the real thing.
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