Online scams proliferate during the winter holiday
shopping season. You need to be extra careful to protect your personal
information, your account, and your devices. Here are some suggestions:
- Be sure you are shopping on a legitimate site. Don’t click an ad; instead type the name of the retailer into your browser or shop through an official mobile site. Check that the URL starts with https, not just http. Look for a padlock icon that shows you will have an encrypted connection.
- Stop and think before you press “BUY”. If the deal seems too good to be true, it’s probably fake. The bad guys rely on your FOMO (fear of missing out) to get you to give out your info without thinking carefully.
- Protect your payment information. Use a credit card rather than a debit card; credit cards offer better fraud protection. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal mask your card number. Never send payment information by email, text, or messaging apps.
- Delivery scams are
another way that fraudsters steal your information. If you get an email or text
claiming to be from a retailer or delivery service telling you a package
couldn’t be delivered or a payment is necessary, go directly to the retailer or
delivery service website to check your order. Never respond to a request to
confirm an unexpected order. Don’t click links in the fraudulent email or text
message.
- Multi-factor authentication can
prevent personal data breaches. Use a unique password for every store, service,
or app you deal with; if you use the same password for everything you do
online, a stolen password at one site opens everything you do online to the
thief. Create strong passwords and use a password manager to help you remember
them all.
- Since cybercriminals often target unprotected or outdated devices, keeping your computer, tablet, and phone updated with the latest security patches can be a big help in staying safe during online shopping. Install antivirus/antimalwaresoftware. Avoid public wifi if possible. If you must shop on an unsecured network, use a VPN.
Foil the scammers during online shopping season by taking
these simple steps to protect your purchasing activities.
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