With Cyber Monday on the horizon, bringing with it all of the online shopping one can possibly handle, more dishonorable actors on the internet are preparing to spring scams on unsuspecting victims.
According to the 2025 Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Holiday, some concerning stats should be considered by those planning to spend big money this Cyber Monday. Nearly half of respondents (47%) said they’d given some personal information to receive a discount in the past — and of these, 49% gave their phone number and 27% their home address.
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With such stats in mind, among others, here are some quick and easy ways to deter scammers this holiday season.
1. Do Your Research To Avoid Being Scammed
The main weapon in your anti-scam arsenal? Due diligence, or good research.
Norton advised checking the URL of each site you visit to ensure it is secure. Shoppers should ensure it’s reputable and not misspelled, and that it stands up to a Google search of reviews. For an added layer of confidence, per Norton, consult the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker.
Run a check of the company, product or service name through Google with the keyword “scam” or “fake” as another precaution.
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2. Stick To Official Shopping Apps
Well-regarded shopping apps (Amazon and Target were specifically singled out by Norton) with an established reputation and placement in your preferred app store are preferable to unknown and potentially dangerous third-party apps (or strange websites).
Stick to the favorites and do your wallet a favor.
3. Consider a VPN and Trusted Password Manager
With Norton suggesting its own Norton VPN, the security company also made it clear that besides having a virtual private network (VPN) option turned on when shopping (or conducting any private business), it is perhaps wise to also consider a reputable password manager to ensure greater security of your personal details and access to various portals.
“From AI shopping assistants to the instant gratification of social media ad clicks, consumers are leaning harder than ever into convenience. But scammers are leaning in too,” said Leyla Bilge, global head of scam research for Norton, via the report. “Just like leaving a spare key under the doormat, it’s often the everyday shortcuts and habits people underestimate — reusing weak passwords, clicking on too-good-to-be-true deals, or trusting unfamiliar sellers — that open the door for cybercriminals.”
4. Be Vigilant
Whenever you come across a deal that seems too good to be true, it’s important to be vigilant. Norton warned that sometimes, falling for these “deals” can lead to shoppers not getting the item at all or receiving a counterfeit, costing them money in the long run.
Similarly, don’t trust strangers, or even friends acting strangely, on social media. Nearly half (40%) of those polled who had been the victims of scamming during the holidays said they’d been scammed via social media.
5. Monitor Your Information
A total of 43% indicated that they’d perhaps overshared private information on public-facing socials during the holidays, with 20% tagging their location, 22% posting a photo of an expensive gift, 18% sharing travel plans and 13% sharing a photo of a travel document without any personal details blurred or blacked out.
Sharing information like this can lead to costly fraud. That’s why it’s important not only to be vigilant about what you’re sharing but also to check for fraud. “Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for suspicious transactions,” Norton advised.
Editor’s note: GOBankingRates and Norton are part of Gen Digital Inc.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Scammers on Cyber Monday, According to Norton
