The holiday season is prime time for scammers, identity thieves, and fraudsters—but that doesn’t stop us from hitting the internet to score holiday deals. In fact, the National Retail Federation predicts that in 2024, online and other non-store sales will increase between 8% and 9% (to between $295.1 billion and $297.9 billion) over the holidays. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are poised to cash in on all that spending. That means it’s more crucial than ever to practice safer online holiday shopping habits.
How to Shop Safe This Season
Money is tight for many Americans. That means shoppers are on the lookout for great deals—both in stores and online. Unfortunately, the ease and convenience of online shopping means a rise in cybercriminals looking to take advantage of unsuspecting bargain hunters. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid such cyber threats.
Of course, when you shop in stores, you may not think twice about locking the car, stashing your packages in the trunk, and securely storing your cash or credit cards when you’re done with your purchases. When shopping online, you can build similar self-protective habits to safeguard yourself, your purchases, and your identity. Here are a few tips to help you shop safely this season:
1. Shop with trusted retailers
Let’s say you are scrolling through social media, and you run across the perfect gift for a loved one. You’ve never heard of the company, but you love the item and want to do your part to support small businesses. Should you buy the gift? Maybe—but do a little research first. It’s great to support small and local shops, but also wise to be wary of false sites designed to steal their customers’ personal and financial data. Before entering your credit or debit card number into an unfamiliar website, search for the company’s name plus the words “reviews,” “complaints,” or “scam.” If it looks suspicious but you still want to purchase, use your credit card (more on that later) or see if you can purchase the item from a known retailer instead.
2. Check the website’s security
Check the URL of the website you are shopping on. Does it start with HTTPS? In most cases, the “s” indicates that the webpage is secure (but not always). If you don’t see an “s” or a small lock in the corner of the URL field, that means there is no privacy protection. Not all pages that lack these indicators are dangerous, but you should proceed with caution when shopping or providing personal information on these sites.
3. Trust your instincts
From October through December, ‘tis the season for great sales, but it is also a high season for scammers. If you come across a great deal, remember the old adage “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”.
4. Do your homework before downloading
If you are shopping from a retailer app, make sure you have downloaded the app from a trusted source (like the Apple or Google Play stores). Do not download a retailer app from a link in an email or on a website unless you are certain that it is legitimate. Then, read through the app’s permissions (yes, you should actually read the terms and conditions) to see if anything seems fishy. It’s also a good idea to read through the reviews of said site to see if there have been complaints of bad practices.
5. Beware of public wi-fi
Shopping from the local coffee shop? Remember that when you tap into public wi-fi networks, hackers can intercept what you are viewing and target your name and credit card information. If possible, stick to a known network. If you must shop from a public location, consider logging into a personal hotspot generated from your smartphone—for at least as long as you need to make your purchase. When you do, make sure the connection is secured with a complex password, so nobody else can gain access to it.
6. Watch out for email scams
If you get an email with a special offer, double-check the sender’s information before clicking any links or opening any attachments. Watch for unrecognizable or slightly tweaked versions of a known contact or company name. If it looks sketchy, delete the email. Can’t resist the deal? Go directly to the company’s website to see if the deal is legitimate.
7. Use your credit card
When you use a credit card (instead of your debit card) to make holiday purchases online, you’ll get an extra layer of protection against fraud. Plus, it’s easier to get your money refunded if a purchase goes awry. The difference is this: with a credit card, it is the card issuer who must fight to get its money back. When you use a debit card and a fraudulent transaction occurs, it is you who must fight to get the money back or accept the loss.
So, are you ready to hunker down and start shopping? Stay vigilant and you are well on your way to an (almost) stress-free holiday season. If you suspect you have been the victim of fraud, act fast to resolve the issue. Let us know if you suspect fraudulent activity while shopping online and we will work with you to stop the fraud and keep your accounts safe. Just call or text us at 503.588.0181 or stop by one of our branches to learn more about protecting your finances and your personal information.