Christmas 2025: Christmas is being celebrated across the world today. As such, people are sending Christmas greetings to each other on social media and messaging platforms. But beware! Hackers could take advantage of this opportunity to scam you. A report has revealed that users may face a "Christmas Gift Scam" during Christmas. Let us explain how scammers can trick you by promising Christmas gifts and Christmas coupons.

Christmas 2025 Free Gift Scam
You need to be cautious this Christmas. Cyber ​​hackers could sabotage your happiness with fraud. According to a report (TOI), caution is needed when sending and receiving Christmas greetings to each other this Christmas. Hackers and cybercriminals could defraud you by sending fraudulent links disguised as gifts. By sending a malicious or fake gift link, your account can be emptied in minutes.

How to Identify a Fraudulent Link
Fraudulent links are usually sent in a very tempting manner. They may appear as messages like "Merry Christmas! You've received a gift" or "Claim your Christmas Bonus Here!" You receive them on WhatsApp or other social media platforms. Once the user clicks on this link, things change rapidly, and a number of things begin to happen on your device.

In a few moments, the user is redirected to a website that looks exactly like the official website of a major bank. To receive the gift, the user is asked for their bank account details, mobile number, and OTP. While you are entering these details, you are unaware that hackers are tracking your activity and have taken control of your device. By stealing your account details, hackers can empty your account in minutes.

Be careful if you receive such a link.
You can avoid this by being sensible before clicking on such a fraudulent link. We're telling you what these links typically look like and how to identify them:

A link that offers you free money or a gift without any involvement or effort.

A message that says, "Share this with 10 friends and unlock a gift" should be avoided.

A message that contains the name of a major brand in a strange way, for example, Amazon written as "Amaz0n." You can recognize this.

A message that asks for your account details to receive a gift.

How to protect yourself

Don't click on any link without thinking and checking it thoroughly.

Turn on two-factor authentication on WhatsApp and be sure to check your linked devices.

Never share your OTP or CVV number on any suspicious-looking link.

If you accidentally download a suspicious app, immediately disconnect the internet connection on your device from the internet and uninstall it.

If you become a victim of cybercrime, call the National Cybercrime Helpline number 1903 or file a complaint about your fraud at cybercrime.gov.in.

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