INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As the holiday season begins, scammers are taking advantage of the festive spirit, warns Jeff Lunglhofer, Chief Information Security Officer at Coinbase.
Lunglhofer highlights that scammers often exploit people’s goodwill during the holidays, making it crucial for communities to be vigilant against online scams. He notes that 60% of Americans will be targeted by scammers this year, and emphasizes the importance of consumer education and awareness.
“Everyone needs to be aware that scams are happening,” Lunglhofer said.
Common red flags to watch for include requests for money, secrecy, moving chats off-platform, and too-good-to-be-true investments. Lunglhofer advises that if someone asks for money, particularly if you don’t know them well, it’s likely a scam.
Coinbase collaborates with Meta and Match Group in the Tech Against Scams Coalition, aiming to break the stigma around being scammed and promote societal conversations about online safety.
Coinbase has launched the Scamberry Pie initiative, offering free holiday pies with tips on avoiding scams, to encourage discussions about online safety during family gatherings.
For more information on how to stay safe from scams this holiday season, Lunglhofer recommends visiting help.coinbase.com.
By staying informed and discussing these issues, communities can better protect themselves from scammers during the holiday season.
