Tips for Secure Online Shopping

The holidays are upon us! That means many are buying decorations, gifts for friends and family members, and other seasonal goods. E-commerce is already a major aspect of holiday spending, but as the pandemic continues consumers are turning to the internet for these purchases. Hackers and scammers are aware of this uptick in digital spending. As you complete your holiday shopping, ensure your personal information is safe by following the guidelines listed below from the Cybercrime Investigations Division of the United States Secret Service.

• Install operating system and antivirus updates as soon as they are available for your devices.
• Change your passwords to shopping sites and other accounts regularly. Use different passwords for different sites. Consider utilizing a multi-factor authentication for another layer of login security.
• Verify online transactions by checking your credit card and banking statements routinely.
• Do not use public Wi-Fi to conduct your online shopping or banking. There is no guarantee as to how secure the network is, even if it requires a password.
• Be aware of phishing schemes that are targeting your personal data, money, or credit card information. Do not respond to emails or text messages from unknown sources. Avoid opening attachments or links from senders you do not recognize.
• Be wary of callers asking for your login, password, account number, etc. Contact customer service numbers on your credit card, debit card, or merchant websites if you have questions.
• When shopping online, look for the lock icon next to a website address in your browser to verify that the website is encrypted and safe to use.

Scammers go to the extreme to gain access your personally identifiable information for illicit use. Follow these suggestions to keep your information and your money safe from their schemes. For more details regarding holiday shopping scams visit: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/avoid-holiday-shopping-scams-112719.