Beware of 'gift card draining' and two other top holiday scams, US Treasury warns

Overview

As the holiday season approaches, the US Treasury is warning consumers about several prevalent scams, including a tactic known as 'gift card draining.' Scammers often trick individuals into buying gift cards under false pretenses and then demand the card information, leaving victims with empty balances. The warning highlights the importance of being cautious when receiving unsolicited messages asking for payment through gift cards. This is particularly relevant as many people are shopping online, making them more susceptible to these types of scams. The Treasury advises consumers to verify the legitimacy of requests and to report any suspicious activity to authorities.

Key Takeaways

Active Exploitation: This vulnerability is being actively exploited by attackers. Immediate action is recommended.
Affected Systems: Gift cards, consumer transactions
Action Required: Verify requests for gift card payments, report suspicious activity to authorities.
Timeline: Newly disclosed

Original Article Summary

Here's how to spot the most common scams this holiday season, before it's too late. Plus, tips to protect yourself.

Impact

Gift cards, consumer transactions

Exploitation Status

This vulnerability is confirmed to be actively exploited by attackers in real-world attacks. Organizations should prioritize patching or implementing workarounds immediately.

Timeline

Newly disclosed

Remediation

Verify requests for gift card payments, report suspicious activity to authorities.

Additional Information

This threat intelligence is aggregated from trusted cybersecurity sources. For the most up-to-date information, technical details, and official vendor guidance, please refer to the original article linked below.

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