According to a new study by Kaspersky , 84% of consumers are willing to share their personal information with retailers in order to save money on their Christmas shopping. Specifically, the study says that as Black Friday approaches, most consumers are willing to send data such as email addresses and phone numbers to take advantage of the deals and discounts presented to them online .
Therefore, fraudsters may exploit consumers' "carelessness" as well as take advantage of their need to save money, having been hit hard by the economic crisis brought about by the COVID-19.
It is noteworthy that only 25% of consumers surveyed said they are aware that fraud is more common during Christmas and other periods when shopping increases, emphasizing that they would not risk sharing data to benefit from a discount.
Furthermore, only 17% shop only at big brands to avoid security risks, while 33% of respondents said they are not willing to use a site that may be illegal. Also, 29% of respondents said they were aware that unknown brands offering deep discounts could pose significant security risks.
David Emm, a security researcher at Kaspersky, pointed out that online shopping is a tempting and easy way for consumers to spend their money. He added that emails with deals and offers are sent to people's inboxes and with just a few clicks, products can arrive at their homes without having to move. However, this can bring many risks. During periods like Black Friday, fraudsters are on the prowl while constantly evolving the methods they use to lure unsuspecting victims. Therefore, consumers are advised to be careful and think carefully about what data they provide online.
Finally, the UK 's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued guidance on online shopping ahead of the upcoming Black Friday, taking into account the increased number of online shopping transactions before Christmas.
