Stay Safe While Holiday Shopping Online

The holiday season is a busy time, and millions of shoppers are looking for the perfect gifts online. While the convenience of e-commerce is undeniable, the increased transaction volume makes this an active time for cybercriminals. Scammers know you may be distracted, looking for quick deals, and mindful of shipping deadlines.

One of the most prevalent threats this year is the "fake storefront." Scammers create websites that look identical to popular brands or trendy boutiques. They advertise products at unusually low prices through social media ads to lure you in. However, the items either do not exist, are poor-quality knockoffs, or the site is simply a tool to collect your credit card information.

Another major issue is the delivery notification scam. As you wait for packages, you might receive emails or texts claiming a delivery failed or requires a small redelivery fee. These are often phishing attempts designed to steal your personal data or install malware on your device.

Tips for Secure Holiday Shopping:

• Verify the URL: Before entering payment info, double-check the website address. Look for misspellings (like "amaz0n.com") or unusual domains (like ".shop" instead of ".com" for major brands).
• Use Credit, Not Debit: Credit cards generally offer better fraud protection than debit cards. If your number is stolen, it is much easier to dispute the charge and you will not lose money directly from your bank account.
• Be Wary of "Too Good to Be True" Deals: If a popular item is sold out everywhere but available on an unknown site for a deep discount, it is likely a scam.
• Do Not Click Delivery Links: If you get a message about a problem with a package, do not click the link provided. Go to the carrier's official site (FedEx, UPS, USPS) and type in your tracking number manually.
• Avoid Shopping on Public Wi-Fi: As mentioned in our previous post, public networks are often unsecured. Use a VPN or wait until you are on a secure home network to make purchases.