Holiday shopping surge brings rise in cybercrime, experts warn [Video]

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The holiday season brings joy, but it also sees a dramatic rise in cybercrime, with millions of dollars lost to online scams. In 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that 12,000 victims lost $73 million to cybercrime during the holidays. Experts warn that this trend is expected to grow in the coming years.

Yuliang Zheng, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, advises consumers to stay vigilant during the busy shopping season. Zheng highlights online shopping, credit card fraud, and phishing scams as the biggest threats.

Festivities go up, cybercrime goes up

Fraudulent shopping websites often emerge during the holidays, preying on consumers seeking discounts. Scammers may promote fake deals for popular items such as electronics, makeup, or travel, luring victims with offers that seem too good …