The Cybersecurity Council has issued a warning regarding phishing attempts executed by fraudsters through so-called 'free holiday gift cards,' which have proliferated during the recent Eid al-Adha celebrations.

These scams exploit religious and national occasions to unlawfully acquire victims' financial and personal data.

In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Council cautioned recipients of messages claiming they have won a gift card to remain vigilant, advising against falling for such tactics and to avoid clicking on suspicious links.

It urged individuals to report these messages to the appropriate authorities, as they may be part of an effort to steal personal information.

The Council identified four indicators that suggest the potential for an electronic fraud attempt: promises of free gift cards, communications from unknown or dubious sources, links requesting users to confirm and collect a prize, and solicitations for personal or financial information.

Moreover, it encouraged careful consideration before clicking on any links or purchasing offers online by verifying the identity of the sender.

Concerns were also raised about fraud schemes linked to charitable donations, highlighting that contributions intended for benevolent purposes could inadvertently fund cyberattacks.

The Council advised donating only through official channels and accredited organizations.

Key warning signs to be aware of include suspicious links, messages written in overly emotional language, and communications from unknown or untrusted phone numbers or email addresses.

The Council emphasized that legitimate charities do not pressure individuals into donating due to their transparency and legality, and individuals can easily verify their authenticity.

It recommended engaging only with trusted organizations for any intended donations.

Fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated, developing new techniques to ensnare victims, particularly while they are shopping online.

The Council provided a set of effective tips to help consumers recognize scams, select secure payment methods, and shop with confidence.

Consumers were advised to browse secure websites, ensuring that the website address begins with 'https' and displays a padlock symbol, as well as to check the reliability of the entity offering products.

For unfamiliar websites, reading customer reviews and contacting customer service or sticking to well-known brands was suggested.

In addition, the importance of choosing trustworthy payment methods while shopping online, such as credit cards and reputable applications, was highlighted.

Consumers were warned against suspicious payment links and reminded that if an offer appears too good to be true, one should be cautious of substantial discounts or rapid promotions provided by unreliable retailers.

The Cybersecurity Council called for ignoring urgent messages claiming prize winnings or issues with orders, and always verifying directly with the store.

Taking protective measures to safeguard personal and financial information during any online purchasing activity was emphasized.