McAfee reveals festive season scams in India: Tips for self-protection

McAfee reveals festive season scams in India: Tips for self-protection
HIGHLIGHTS

A notable 43% of Indian consumers admitted to falling for 'too good to be true' deals.

Shockingly, 23% of respondents were open to providing credit card details to unknown merchants.

McAfee also highlights technological concerns like the use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals.

In a revealing study by McAfee Corp., over 7,000 adults across seven countries, including India, were surveyed to understand consumer behavior during the festive shopping season. The study highlighted that a majority of Indian consumers trust online shopping as much as in-person shopping. It also focused on online shopping trust, scams, and vulnerabilities.

Scams and Vulnerabilities in Festive Online Shopping

A notable 43% of Indian consumers admitted to falling for ‘too good to be true’ deals during the festive season. Consumers trusting easily has led to 54% experiencing online scams, with 65% suffering financial losses of up to ₹40,000. Shockingly, 23% of respondents were open to providing credit card details to unknown merchants for attractive deals.

Also read: Shocking! Over half of all Indian travellers are victims of online scams, says McAfee

In terms of shopping behavior, there’s a clear shift towards digital platforms. According to the report, 91% of Indians planned to shop online during the festive season. Consumer habits show a preference for convenience. This includes, many making online purchases in bed at night (59%), during work hours (37%), at dinner time (28%), and even while using the toilet (10%).

The study also highlights technological concerns like the use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals. About 95% of the respondents believe that AI has increased the frequency of online scams. Furthermore, 34% find it challenging to distinguish between real and fake messages.

Also read: McAfee reports AI-powered scams, 12 fake texts targeting Indians daily reveal dark side of technology

McAfee’s Recommendations for Cybersecurity

In response to these findings, Roma Majumder, SVP of Product at McAfee, emphasised the importance of advanced AI to protect yourself against cybercriminals. To safeguard against scams, McAfee advises consumers to be cautious with suspicious emails and messages. You have to think twice before clicking on them, and to use authentic sources for verification. They also recommend using McAfee Scam Protection’s AI-driven technology to block dangerous links and ensure secure online browsing.

Mustafa Khan

Mustafa Khan

Mustafa is new on the block and is a tech geek who is currently working with Digit as a News Writer. He tests the new gadgets that come on board and writes for the news desk. He has found his way with words and you can count on him when in need of tech advice. No judgement. He is based out of Delhi, he’s your person for good photos, good food recommendations, and to know about anything GenZ. View Full Profile

Digit.in
Logo
Digit.in
Logo