McAfee has shared the results of its Global Festive Shopping Survey 2024, revealing a significant rise in online scams targeting festive shoppers in India during October 2024. This period, coinciding with major festivals like Diwali, has proven to be a prime opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerable shoppers.
Key Findings of the Survey
The survey, conducted in November 2024, gathered responses from 7,128 adults aged 18+ across seven countries: the US, Australia, India, UK, France, Germany, and Japan.
- Online Scam Activity: The McAfee Labs team protected consumers from over 24,000 suspicious or malicious URLs during the festive season. Scammers targeted shoppers during peak shopping windows, such as the days leading up to Durga Ashtami and Diwali, capitalizing on the surge in online shopping.
- Increase in Malicious Emails: McAfee analyzed more than 800 festive-related emails. These emails, mostly sent on Fridays and Saturdays, often disguised themselves as legitimate shopping websites like Flipkart and Amazon, offering up to 99% discounts on products.
- Phishing Threats: The emails and links often led to phishing attempts, including fake delivery notifications, security alerts, and fraudulent credit card issues.
Consumer Trends and Cybersecurity Risks
The festive season prompted a shift in consumer shopping behavior, with 66% of Indian shoppers planning to increase their online purchases compared to the previous year. While 68% of consumers were drawn to better discounts online, McAfee cautioned that this convenience comes with risks.
- Increased Deal-Seeking Behavior: In response to inflation, 95% of Indian shoppers reported searching for the best deals, with 90% considering starting their shopping earlier than usual. However, 41% admitted to jumping on deals without careful consideration, which could expose them to scams.
- AI’s Role in Scams: McAfee’s survey found that 74% of Indian respondents believe cybercriminals become more active during the festive season. Many are using AI-driven scams, such as deepfakes, to deceive shoppers. Additionally, 84% of Indians are now more concerned about deepfake content than they were a year ago.
- Fake Messages and Social Media Influence: Over 30% of Indians reported receiving scam messages about purchases they didn’t make or missed deliveries, while 43% reported fraud-related alerts about their credit card or banking accounts. Additionally, nearly half of Indian shoppers admitted to being influenced by celebrity endorsements, which scammers often exploit.
McAfee’s Safety Tips for Festive Shoppers
To protect themselves during the festive season, McAfee recommends the following:
- Be Cautious with Links: Avoid clicking on suspicious links in unsolicited emails or text messages. Always go directly to trusted websites for updates on deliveries or deals.
- Use AI Protection Tools: McAfee’s AI-driven tools, such as the McAfee Text Scam Detector, can help detect and block malicious links in text messages, emails, and on social media platforms.
- Spot Deepfakes: Look for inconsistencies in videos, like unnatural eye movements or mismatched audio, to identify deepfakes.
- Invest in Comprehensive Online Protection: McAfee+ offers robust protection against identity theft, privacy breaches, and suspicious websites, ensuring safer online browsing for you and your family.
McAfee encourages consumers to stay vigilant during the festive season and utilize technology to protect themselves from the growing threat of online scams.