Optimum Warns Against the Top 5 Holiday Scams and Ways to Stop Them
NEW YORK, NY (October 27, 2025) – Optimum shares the most prevalent online scams as consumers head into the busiest shopping season of the year.
The company shares these watchouts as October marks worldwide Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a reminder that even as online shopping grows more convenient, it also creates new opportunities for fraud. In fact, Optimum’s network blocks thousands of malicious attack attempts daily for our customers, ranging from phishing, smishing, spam, malware and other scams.
The most common online scams identified by Optimum’s cybersecurity team this season include:
Phishing websites disguised as well-known retailers.
Smishing scams through fake shipping notifications that are delivered by text.
Non-delivery schemes where purchases never arrive.
Charity fraud that often exploits disaster or relief appeals.
Travel scams offering fake deals that disappear after payment.
To reduce risk, Optimum recommends the following for consumers and business owners:
Going directly to official merchant websites instead of clicking on links from texts or emails.
Confirming tracking information from verified sources.
Monitoring bank and credit card accounts regularly for unauthorized activity.
“Scammers count on people being distracted during the holidays,” said Ben Smith, Chief Information Security Officer at Optimum. “A few extra seconds of caution—like checking a link before clicking, confirming a website is legitimate, and reviewing your account—can make all the difference.”
The company’s internal team monitors and analyzes risks throughout the year, helping to identify and safeguard against potential threats before they reach customers, which includes:
Strengthening our network defenses
Conducting regulatory compliance and resilience exercises
Scaling our security controls, visibility and governance
Building an arsenal of top-notch security tools and systems
Consumers can read more about how Optimum is safeguarding its customers and technology here. For more information on Optimum’s product offerings and services, residents can call 866.9.OPTIMUM or visit optimum.com.