Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Cheer—Shop Smart and Safe This Season!

Holiday shopping is in full swing, and unfortunately, so are holiday scams. This season, protect yourself and your loved ones by following smart online safety practices. Here are some essential tips to keep your holiday shopping secure and joyful:

• Learn How to Recognize a Threat – Knowing how to recognize a phishing attempt is the single best defense you have against scammers. Stay informed about the latest scams. If something feels off, trust your instincts and investigate further.
• Install Security Software & Keep Systems Updated – Install reputable security software to block phishing scams, malware, and viruses. Make sure your operating system and all applications are up to date—these updates often include critical security patches.
• Shop Reputable Sites – That ad that seems too unbelievably good to pass-up, is probably one you better think twice (or three times) about before clicking. Clicking on links or buttons in a scam advertisement or message can download malware programs onto your computer, giving the scammer access to your data. If you’re unsure whether a message is from a credible source, visit the source’s official website or call them at a known, trusted phone number and ask.
• Be Aware of What You Share – Shopping online requires you to share some basic information about yourself, like your email address, shipping address, and payment information. However, if sites are looking for more information than you feel comfortable with, don’t hesitate to find another retailer.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication – Whenever possible, set up your banking, credit card, and other accounts with multi-factor authentication. This means two or more credentials (like a PIN or security question in addition to your password) to access your data, making it difficult for scammers to steal your information -  even if they get your username and password.

If You Fall Victim to an Online Scam:

• Change your passwords immediately for your computer, frequently used websites, and financial accounts.
• If you suspect your financial information has been compromised, contact your bank or credit card company right away and report the fraud.
• Run a full-system antivirus scan on your computer.
•  Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.