Bangalore December 17, 2025: As India steps into the festive season filled with joy, celebrations, and a flurry of online shopping, cybersecurity experts are urging people to pause and stay alert. The holidays, they say, have quietly given cybercriminals the perfect opportunity to strike. With digital payments, irresistible discounts, and the overall festive excitement, many shoppers are unknowingly lowering their guard—making it easier for scammers to slip through.
Uma Pendyala, Head Business Operations, SecurEyes, a Cybersecurity consulting product and training company, explains that this time of year has unfortunately become a prime season for cyber fraud. Attackers take advantage of our excitement, the sudden rush of online purchases, and tempting payment offers to deceive people when they least expect it. In 2025 alone, Karnataka recorded a staggering loss of over ₹2,000 crores due to cyber fraud, underscoring the scale of the threat.
The Anatomy of Festive Scams
During the festive season, scammers know exactly how to take advantage of our excitement and rushed decisions. Their tricks look clean and convincing—festive colours, familiar brand logos, and tempting “only for today” deals that make people click before they realise something is off.
Common Festive Scams to Watch Out For
Phishing Links & Fake Vouchers:
Messages pop up on SMS, WhatsApp, or email promising unbelievable “New Year Mega Offers” or “Christmas Gift Card Wins.” They look harmless, but one click can lead you to fake websites designed to steal your personal details, banking information, or even your UPI PIN.
Fraudulent Shopping Portals:
Scammers set up entire fake online stores that look almost real, except for tiny spelling errors in the website link. They lure people with massive discounts on electronics, jewellery, and other expensive items. Once you pay, the website disappears—or worse, you receive a completely fake product.
Impersonation Scams:
Fraudsters often call or message pretending to be from your bank, a delivery company, or customer support. They create a sense of urgency by saying there’s a problem with your account or a package. In the rush to fix it, many people end up sharing their OTP or card details.
QR Code Traps:
Scammers send QR codes claiming you’ll receive cashback or a surprise gift if you scan them. But here’s the truth: scanning a QR code only sends money—it never receives it. Victims unknowingly approve a transaction that instantly deducts money from their account.
The Crux of the Problem: Lowered Vigilance
Most attacks succeed because people let their guard down during celebrations. The emotional state of excitement and urgency overrides critical thinking, leading people to ignore the basic digital safety principles they follow the rest of the year.
Essential Steps for a Cyber-Safe Celebration
Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue; it is a matter of vigilance and habit. Strong digital hygiene, real-time monitoring, and user education are essential to staying protected.
Five Simple Rules for Festive Online Safety:
Stop and Think: Is the Offer Too Good to Be True? Unbelievable discounts (e.g., 90% off on a new iPhone) are almost certainly a scam.
Verify the Source, Not the Link: NEVER click on an offer link from an SMS or unknown sender. Instead, open the official app or type the genuine brand’s website address directly into your browser.
Check the Lock and the Address: Always ensure the website URL starts with https:// and look for the padlock symbol in the address bar. Double-check for spelling errors in the domain name.
Guard Your OTP/PIN: A bank, retailer, or legitimate company will NEVER call or message to ask for your OTP, Card PIN, or UPI PIN. Sharing it means giving away the keys to your account.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Activate two-factor authentication on all banking, shopping, and social media accounts for an extra layer of protection.
“Vigilance is our strongest shield,” concluded Ms. Pendyala. “By committing to simple security habits, we can ensure the festive season remains a time of joy, not a time of financial loss.”
About SecurEyes:
SecurEyes is a trusted cybersecurity partner delivering specialised expertise across security assessments, managed security services, and governance, risk and compliance (GRC). Our portfolio also includes advanced products that enable organisations to efficiently manage evolving regulatory, supervisory, and compliance requirements.
We support national regulatory bodies, government organisations, and large enterprises across critical industries. SecurEyes is officially empanelled with CERT-In, the National Informatics Centre (NIC), and NICSI to provide accredited Information Security Auditing Services.
For more information about SecurEyes, please visit our website at https://secureyes.net/
