Experts warn shoppers to be cautious of online scams this Boxing Day

Shoppers warned of Boxing Day scams Cybersecurity experts urge shoppers to be cautious of fraudulent emails and texts during Boxing Day sales.

Cybersecurity experts are warning shoppers to pay close attention to online scams during Boxing Day.

Jacques Sauve, a cybersecurity consultant for Trilogiam says scammers will send out fake emails and text messages.

“They want you to click here to get 50 per cent, you don't have to click on the email,” says Sauve.

Instead, he says to check the retailer's website to see if there's a good deal on.

According to the Better Business Bureau, scams carried out online continue to grow.

Last year, the bureau’s “Scam Tracker Risk Report” showed online scams made up nearly 70 per cent of all reports.

"They can easily clone the logo and the style, and the text format of these retailers and make it look like it comes from the retailer,” said Sauve.

Carmi Levy, a technology analyst and journalist, says anyone can fall victim to a scam.

“No matter how old you are, no matter how adept you are with technology, no matter where you live or what you look like.”

According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Canadians lost $503 millions to fraud in the past year.

That number, however, could be higher as many cases still go unreported.

“Nobody wants to admit to their friends and family that they were targeted in this way, and that they clicked. They clicked on the wrong link, or they took the bait,” said Levy.

Levy says if you’ve been a victim of an online scam, you should change the passwords on your account, report the incident to police and contact your bank.

That said, there’s no guarantee you will get your money back.

“People have to stop thinking that the bank's going to give you back your money. No, you got scammed. That's your responsibility. That's on you,” said Sauve.

Sauve says to always remember the golden rule if you come across a good deal in your inbox.

“If sounds too good to be true, it's too good to be true.”