Half of Swedes Face Digital Fraud Attempts Ahead of Holiday Season

Nearly half of Swedes have faced digital fraud attempts, prompting warnings and advice from PostNord before the busy holiday shopping period.

    Key details

  • • 49% of Swedes have experienced online fraud attempts or scam SMS.
  • • 18% of those exposed have fallen victim to scams.
  • • Concerns about fraud increase during the holiday shopping season, especially Black Week starting November 24.
  • • PostNord advises using their official app and being cautious with communications to avoid scams.

A recent Ipsos survey for PostNord reveals that nearly half (49%) of Swedes have encountered online fraud attempts or scam SMS messages at some point, with 18% of those falling victim to such scams. As the holiday shopping season approaches, particularly Black Week starting November 24, concerns about digital fraud are rising, with over 20% of Swedes worried about being targeted.

Alexis Larsson, security chief at PostNord, warns of an increase in fraudulent activities during peak shopping periods. Scammers often impersonate logistics companies like PostNord to deceive consumers. To help combat this, PostNord advises consumers to rely on their official app for trustworthy communications and to exercise caution with emails or messages claiming to be from PostNord.

Key recommendations include verifying links before clicking, avoiding unsolicited attachments, and refraining from sharing sensitive personal information. The survey polled 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 79, assessing online shopping habits and attitudes towards fraud during the holiday season, highlighting the urgency of awareness and prevention in safeguarding consumer interests.

This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

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