The National Information Technology Development Agency has warned Nigerians to be cautious of online shopping scams as the holiday season approaches.

In an advisory issued on Tuesday, the country’s technology regulator highlighted that scammers often exploit the festive period by creating fake online stores.

It added that they send phishing emails or text messages advertising irresistible Black Friday or end-of-year deals, and tricking unsuspecting individuals into clicking malicious links.

“Scammers often trick people into clicking on fraudulent links that install malware on their devices or lure them into patronizing fake online stores, resulting in financial loss, identity theft, and emotional stress,” the advisory stated.

NITDA urged Nigerians to take preventive measures to protect themselves, including avoiding links in unsolicited emails or messages and verifying the legitimacy of online stores by checking reviews, confirming contact details, and ensuring the presence of secure connections (indicated by “https://”).

The agency further advised individuals to refrain from using public Wi-Fi for online transactions, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts, remain wary of deals that seem too good to be true and monitor their accounts regularly for unauthorized transactions.

“Staying vigilant and following these safety measures are critical steps in avoiding scams during the holiday shopping period,” NITDA emphasised.

For additional support or to report suspicious activity, Nigerians can contact NITDA’s Cybersecurity Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT.NG) through email atcerrt@nitda.gov.ngor by phone at +2348178774580. (The PUNCH)