As the festive season ramps into full swing, the turkey may be roasting, but the online deal hunters are clicking away—and lurking in the shadows are cyber-grinches ready to pounce. According to a fresh global survey by Mastercard and Harris Poll, 41 per cent of respondents say they’re more cautious online this time of year, yet nearly half confess they’d still ignore obvious security red flags if a discount seemed too good to resist.

That figure—almost 50 per cent—is a wake-up call. It suggests that even savvy shoppers can be tempted off the straight and narrow when the promise of a bargain or that hard-to-find gift fires the adrenaline. The message is clear: when the price looks implausible, the risk may well be real.

The Allure and the Alarm

While one in four consumers say they steer clear of unfamiliar websites, a significant 72 per cent still shop on them—often without doing the necessary homework. And why is that worrying? Because the prime warning signs of scam territory are glaring:

• 52 per cent said price tags that looked too good to be true made them pause.

• 48 per cent said poor spelling or grammar triggered alarm bells.

• 49 per cent were alerted by requests for unnecessary personal details.

Still, despite these red flags, many press on. The survey notes that nearly one in five have previously had items that never turned up, and 16 per cent received counterfeit goods in past holiday seasons.

AI is Super-charging the Scam Scene

Fraud isn’t static; it evolves. And these days, generative AI is turning into the Grinch’s ultimate helper. Mastercard reports it has intercepted US$50 billion in fraud over the past three years, monitors 32 million risk events every day, and uses gen-AI to detect compromised cards twice as fast as before.

As Alissa “Dr. Jay” Abdullah, deputy chief security officer at Mastercard, puts it:

“While you’re focused on finding the perfect gift, Mastercard is working behind the scenes to keep your transactions safe… Our goal is simple: make sure your holiday shopping is secure so you can focus on what matters most.”

That might be reassuring, but the onus remains firmly on each of us to take care.

How to Keep the Sleigh On Track

Here’s a practical checklist to help readers steer clear of the cyber-naughty list this year:

1. Scan with care
Flashy QR codes and ads shouting “unbeatable” bargains are tempting but could be traps. Some lead to malware-infested sites or to fake checkouts set up to harvest your credit card details.

2. Update your devices
Your smartphone, laptop or tablet is likely your main shopping companion. Make sure it’s armed with the latest software before making payments. Weak links get attacked.

3. Don’t assume that the delivery notice is legit
That “Santa’s on his way” update? Maybe. Maybe not. If the alert came out of the blue or the sender’s email looks odd, go directly to the retailer’s website or customer service rather than clicking the link.

4. When donating for goodwill, do your homework
Charities flourish at this time of year, but so do impostors. If you’re giving to a good cause, make sure it’s legitimate. A little research goes a long way.

5. Beware fake captchas
A pop-up that demands you download a file or enter personal info under the guise of a “captcha” challenge is suspect. A real CAPTCHA wants you to tick boxes or pick images.

Why Aussie Shoppers Should Sit Up

Here in Australia, we’re no strangers to clever online scams. The global data suggest that high-volume retail periods like the holidays are peak targets for fraudsters. With the proliferation of online shopping and cross-border buying, the risk lines don’t respect time zones or hemispheres.

What’s more, our high standard of living and propensity to buy the latest gadgets or seek value deals make us attractive prospects. So, as you flick between tabs hunting that deal, consider this: if 48 per cent of global consumers admit they’d ignore red flags, how confident are you that you’re not susceptible?

The Verdict

The holidays are meant to be a time of generosity and light-hearted merriment, not of stress about identity theft or counterfeit goods. The Mastercard survey reminds us that vigilance matters. You can still hunt for that perfect gift and splash out on a deal, but do so knowingly. Keep your cyber sleigh well-guarded.

Because, while the savings might feel heavenly, the hangover from a fraud breach is decidedly hellish.

In short: enjoy your shopping spree, but don’t hand the keys to your wallet to the Grinch waiting behind the screen.

By Prae Lee – (c) 2025

Read Time: 3 minutes.

About the Writer

You can tell a lot about a person by how they handle a busy Bangkok morning. Prae Lee doesn’t rush; she glides through it. There’s a calm certainty about her, the sort that comes from knowing where you come from and where you’re going.

Educated at Chulalongkorn University, she took her business degree with the quiet pride of someone who believes in doing things correctly. Her travels for further study in Singapore and Australia didn’t change her; they polished what was already there: curiosity, discipline, and grace.

She returned to her family business in Bangkok, breathing a little modern life into it. She handled social media with the intuition of someone who listens and sells with the gentle persistence the Thais do so well.

Prae doesn’t make a fuss, but everything she touches shines brighter.

Now part of the Global Travel Media family, Prae brings authenticity and quiet confidence to her writing, drawing from a life steeped in culture, travel, and connection.

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