View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

11/22/2023

Treasury’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection Issues Consumer Advisory to Protect Against C…

Treasury’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure
Protection Issues Consumer Advisory to Protect Against Cyber
Scams This Holiday Shopping Season
November 22, 2023

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasuryʼs O ice of Cybersecurity and Critical
Infrastructure Protection (OCCIP) today released an advisory

highlighting tips consumers

can take to avoid becoming the victim of cyber or online scams this holiday shopping season.
This year the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled cybercriminals to automate
malicious phishing attacks. As cybercriminals leverage AI to learn and adapt in real-time,
consumers must remain vigilant and take proactive measures, especially during the holidays
which o en brings an uptick in crimes. To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, the advisory
provides steps individuals can take to protect themselves.
OCCIP is urging Americans to stay vigilant, be proactive, and respond quickly if you are
targeted by a scammer or fraud.
“Every year cybercriminals are getting more creative to take advantage of consumers, and
this year is no di erent with the rise of AI,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for OCCIP Todd
Conklin. “If an online deal looks too good to be true, it likely is. Take time to think, research,
and talk to someone you trust. Donʼt be pressured to purchase an item or pay for a service
quickly. Legitimate businesses and people will give you time to decide.”
In the advisory, OCCIP details several tips consumers should follow to avoid being scammed.
The advisory also provides steps victims of fraud can take to attempt to mitigate their
damages and losses.
A copy of the OCCIP advisory can be found here. Additionally, fraud may be reported to the
Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud. c.gov and to the Federal Bureau of Investigationʼs
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
###

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1927

1/1