Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, but unfortunately, cybercriminals view it as an opportunity to exploit emotions for their malicious gains. As we gear up to exchange tokens of affection with our loved ones, it’s crucial to stay vigilant against the rising tide of Valentine’s Day phishing scams.
According to data released by Victim Support, the UK’s biggest provider of services for victims of crime, there has been a 38% rise in the number of romance fraud victims being supported by its services. Its supported 322 victims in 2022, up from 233 in 2021.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the common tactics employed by cybercriminals during this season of love and provide you with tips on how to safeguard your heart and your data from falling victim to Valentine’s Day phishing scams.
Common Valentine’s Day Phishing Scams
The Allure of Romance
Valentine’s Day phishing scams often play on the emotions associated with love and romance. Cybercriminals are adept at crafting enticing emails, messages, or social media posts that appear to be from a secret admirer or a long-lost love interest. These messages may contain subject lines like “A Valentine’s Day Surprise for You” or “Someone Has a Crush on You.” The goal is to lure unsuspecting individuals into clicking on malicious links or downloading infected attachments.
Since the beginning of February, Checkpoint researchers flag approximately 1 in every 1000 emails relating to Valentine’s Day was found to be malicious or suspicious.
Fake E-Cards and Messages
One popular tactic employed by cybercriminals for Valentine’s Day phishing scams is the creation of fake electronic greeting cards or messages. These messages claim to contain a heartfelt note, a romantic poem, or even a digital gift. However, clicking on the provided link can lead you to a phishing website designed to harvest your personal information, such as login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive data.
Online Shopping Deals
Valentine’s Day is synonymous with gift-giving, and cybercriminals exploit this by promoting fake online shopping deals. Be cautious of unsolicited emails or social media ads advertising discounts on flowers, chocolates, or romantic getaways. Clicking on these links may redirect you to fraudulent websites where scammers can steal your payment information or deploy malware onto your device.
Protecting Yourself from Valentine’s Day Phishing Scams
To shield against Valentine’s Day phishing scams, follow our essential tips to safeguard your online experiences during this love-filled season.
Think Before You Click: Exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages, especially those with romantic overtones or promises of surprise gifts. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Verify Sender Information: Check the sender’s email address or social media profile before interacting with any messages. Legitimate businesses and individuals will have recognisable and verified contact details.
Use Trusted Websites for Online Shopping: Stick to well-known and reputable online retailers when making Valentine’s Day purchases. Double-check the website’s URL for any variations or misspellings that could indicate a phishing attempt.
Keep Software Updated: Ensure that your operating system, antivirus software, and all applications are up-to-date. Regular updates often include security patches that protect your device from the latest threats.
Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enable MFA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts. This makes it more difficult for cybercriminals to gain unauthorised access, even if they have your login credentials.
Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about the latest phishing tactics and share this knowledge with friends and family. Awareness is a powerful tool in preventing cybercrime.
How to Respond To Valentine’s Day Phishing Scams
Avoid Responding, Clicking Links, or Opening Attachments: Refrain from clicking on suspicious links, opening attachments, or responding to requests. Denying the phisher engagement is a crucial step in protecting your information.
Remove the Suspicious Email: Upon reporting the phishing attempt, promptly delete the suspicious email from your Inbox. By doing so, you reduce the risk of accidental clicks, ensuring that you won’t inadvertently interact with it later.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals are adept at exploiting our emotions, and phishing scams continue to evolve in sophistication. By staying informed, thinking before clicking, and employing cyber security best practices, you can protect both your heart and your data from falling victim to Valentine’s Day phishing scams. Stay safe, stay secure, and have a happy Valentine’s Day!
