10 Tips for Safer Holiday Shopping

The holiday season is a time of joy and giving, but it can also be a prime time for fraudsters looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. As we dive into the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping—whether online or in-store—it’s crucial to prioritize the safety of our finances.

Here are ten tips to help keep your holiday shopping experience merry and bright!

1. Use familiar and secure websites: When shopping online, make sure the business is a legitimate, established one. Look for https:// in the URL to help you gauge if the site is secure.
2. Know what a product should cost: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Especially during the holidays, scammers pose as Amazon and other popular retailers, pressuring you to “Act Now” with extremely low prices and expiring deals. Check the price of the same product elsewhere to see if it’s a reasonable sale or just an attractive scam.
3. Keep your software up to date: Running the latest version of software on your phone and computer helps ensure any vulnerabilities are patched. Turn automatic updates on so that you don’t have to worry about constantly updating your phone or computer’s software and security.
4. Look for red flags and trust your gut: Always stay on the lookout for things that don’t fit – typos, variations on the company names, links or attachments you weren’t expecting. If you see any of these, stop and verify directly with the vendor using trusted information before acting.
5. Don’t overshare: Retailers don’t need to know your social security number, birthdate, or one-time passcode. Only share personal information like address, name, and payment info when you’re absolutely sure the vendor is legitimate.
6. Create secure passwords: Don’t use the same password for all of your accounts. Use multi-factor authentication whenever available, and never provide your password or one-time secure access code to anyone.
7. Avoid shopping online while in public: Not only is public Wi-Fi unsecure, but typing in your credit card information in a café or public space leaves you vulnerable to snoopers looking over your shoulder and stealing your information.
8. Use your smart wallet: Use a digital wallet in which you can load your credit and debit cards to your phone. With this, you don’t have to bring a physical card while shopping, and it creates a secure one-time code for your card every time it’s used.
9. Check your bank and card regularly: Even if you feel like you’re being extremely safe, scammers are smart, and you’re always at risk. Take a few minutes regularly to review your statements and account activity and immediately report unknown charges to your bank.
10. Report scammers: If you think you’ve encountered a scam, you can report it at us-cert.gov. If you believe your personal or financial information has actually been stolen, report it to your local police, bank, and the FTC (idetitytheft.gov). Always immediately change your passwords as well.

By staying informed about common scams, utilizing secure payment methods, and shopping from reputable retailers, you can protect yourself from potential fraud.

Remember to take your time and verify offers, read reviews, and trust your instincts.

Download our SecurLOCK™ Equip app and load your cards to get transaction alerts and be able to turn your card off and on with a click of a button in case you do suspect fraud, and remember to enjoy this holiday season!