OMAHA, Neb. —

As holiday shopping picks up, experts are warning that cybercriminals are exploiting the season's distractions to increase online scams.

"You see those phishing emails saying, 'We couldn't deliver your package — click this link,'" Gary Sparks, cybersecurity program director at Metropolitan Community College, said.

These messages often look legitimate, but they're built to trick you into giving up usernames, passwords and banking information.

Experts say attackers recycle the same scams each year because they work, typically aiming to harvest credentials like usernames and passwords. Vulnerable groups, such as older adults, are often targeted by hackers posing as relatives in distress, requesting money.

Consumers are advised to be cautious of unexpected internet links, QR

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