Holiday Shopping Safety: How to Avoid Scams and Protect Your Information

The holiday season has arrived! While some stores are already promoting their Black Friday discounts, the biggest sales are just getting started. Whether you are shopping online or in stores this holiday season, there is a risk of fraud to be aware of. Keep the fraudsters from spoiling your holiday joy and stay safe with these tips:

1. Be cautious when shopping online.

• Should you choose to shop online, stick to well-known retailers and official brand websites.
• Confirm your online accounts have strong passwords, especially those for financial websites and social media.
• Use multi-factor authentication when possible.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Don’t let the lure of great discounts fool you. If you are unfamiliar with a site, check the reviews and do some research before making a purchase. We recommend typing the store’s web address directly into your browser instead of clicking on a link provided to you in an email or included in an advertisement. Scammers will create realistic advertisements designed to draw you into elaborate phishing schemes and steal your personal and financial information.
• Before entering your card information to make a purchase (on any site), make sure your information is being encrypted. Reputable merchants use encryption to transmit information from your browser to their servers. Look for the s in https at the beginning of a web address (URL) to confirm the site is secure before making a payment.

2. Safeguard your card(s) while shopping in-store.

• Keep your credit card or CheckCard in a purse or wallet, not in your pocket where it could easily fall out.
• Only carry the card(s) you need for that shopping trip.
• Do not take your card out of your purse/wallet until you are checking out.
• Cover the card number when you tap or insert the card and when you enter your PIN, so it is not visible to others waiting in line.

3. Monitor Your Accounts

• Set up card controls and alerts to keep track of recent transactions and notify us right away if you notice any unauthorized activity.
• Monitor your accounts in Exchange OnLine and the mobile app and review your bank and credit card statements regularly.

The holidays are a time for joy and celebration, not stress and worry. By staying vigilant and following these tips, you can protect yourself from fraud and shop with confidence. Wishing you a safe and secure holiday, and happy shopping!