TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is urging Floridians to exercise caution while shopping online on Cyber Monday. With economists predicting retail sales to exceed $957 billion this holiday season and consumers expected to spend over $11 billion on Cyber Monday alone, scammers are likely to take advantage of the excitement and target unsuspecting shoppers. To combat this, Attorney General Moody’s Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit is actively working to protect consumers from online scams and cybercrime.
During a press conference in Tampa, Attorney General Moody, along with leaders from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and members of the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, emphasized the importance of protecting sensitive information while holiday shopping. Attorney General Moody stated, “Cyber Monday is one of the year’s busiest online shopping days. All the action this time of year creates a target-rich environment for cybercriminals trying to craft schemes to trick consumers and steal their money. Our Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit fights crime, but it is important that Floridians be aware of potential scams and shop with caution.”
FDLE Special Agent in Charge Mark Brutnell also highlighted the increased risk of online scams and fraud attacks during the holiday season. He advised shoppers to be vigilant, know the merchants they are buying from, and refrain from clicking on suspicious ads, particularly on social media.
One common tactic used by scammers is impersonation scams, where they pose as representatives from legitimate companies to extort payment. For example, a target may receive an email or phone call from someone pretending to be from Amazon or another online retailer, claiming that their account is suspended and the only way to regain access is to send money or gift cards.
Another scam to watch out for is smishing, where targets receive a text, seemingly from UPS or the United States Postal Service, stating that a package cannot be delivered. Scammers hope that victims will click on the link in the text, providing personal and financial information.
To avoid falling victim to these schemes, Attorney General Moody and the Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit provided the following tips:
- Do not be rushed by a solicitor; take a moment to investigate the caller’s claims.
- Instead of searching online for bank or merchant phone numbers, download the official app and find the customer service number there.
- Never buy from an unknown company.
- Do not provide personal or financial information to a solicitor over email, social media, or the phone.
- Legitimate businesses or banking institutions will not call to demand payment to fix an account problem.
- Notify law enforcement right away if you fall for a scam.
The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit is currently investigating over 75 active cases involving cryptocurrency, stolen identities, money laundering, and more. They have also recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for victims of cybercrimes.
In the event of identity theft, Attorney General Moody suggests the following steps to protect personal information:
- Change passwords for all online accounts, especially those containing sensitive information.
- Gather evidence by taking screenshots or collecting relevant information.
- Report the cybercrime to local law enforcement, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Computer Crime Center, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
- Notify financial institutions if unauthorized access to bank accounts or credit cards occurs.
- Update security measures on devices, including antivirus software, firewalls, and security patches.
Floridians can find more tips for safe online shopping, information about avoiding charity fraud, and a list of recalled items in the 2023 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide, available in both English and Spanish. Additionally, Attorney General Moody’s "Scams at a Glance: ‘Tis the Season" brochure provides valuable tips to protect financial and personal information during the holiday season.
In the face of the growing threat of cybercrime, Attorney General Moody and her Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit are dedicated to safeguarding consumers and ensuring a secure online shopping experience. Floridians are encouraged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from online scams and frauds this holiday season.
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