Local law enforcement and a local expert share tips and tricks so you finish Cyber Monday with savings and not losses
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As shoppers jump online searching for Cyber Monday deals, law enforcement and cybersecurity experts say scammers are just as active, hoping rushed clicks will lead to stolen information or money.
Texas Department of Public Safety Sgt. Rob Mallory said the biggest warning sign is a price that seems unrealistically low.
“Just be aware that if that deal seems a little too good to be true, it may be,” Mallory said. “Make sure you’re using secure websites… and make sure those links are legitimate. And your emails — when they’re offering you specials — like I said, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.”
Mallory recommends sticking to secure payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay or other digital wallets, which add an extra layer of protection.
Cybersecurity researchers say shoppers should also pay attention to the pressure being applied to make a purchase. Alimursal Imbrahimov, a doctoral student at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, said scammers often use countdown timers or urgent messaging to force impulse decisions.
“If they are really pushing… how this is going to end in two hours… we’re not going to get this price again,” he said. “If they are really rushing you to click on that purchase button, that means most— highly percentage — that will be a scam.”
Imbrahimov also encourages shoppers to separate wants from needs during big sales events.
“If you don’t need to buy something, just don’t buy it,” he said. “Categorize your wants versus needs… If you don’t really need it, it can wait. But if it’s something you need to do your job, then come up with a plan.”
Email scams remain one of the most common methods, often designed to mimic major brands with near-identical logos and lettering.
“They shouldn’t believe all the emails they receive on behalf of official companies,” Imbrahimov said, noting one common scam that mimicked Microsoft’s logo by replacing the “M” with an “r” and an “n” placed close together. “When you were reading it, it was looking like Microsoft.”
Experts say slowing down, verifying links, and sticking to trusted retailers can help ensure Cyber Monday deals don’t turn into costly losses.
