10/30/2024 (Updated: 8/22/2025) - Personal Banking
The sights and sounds of the holiday season bring joy to everyone, and you’re busy checking your list twice to find the perfect gift for loved ones. There isn’t one detail left undone, or is there? While you’re focused on your shopping, it’s just as important to stay sharp and protect yourself from holiday shopping scams.
Before you provide any personal or financial information, it’s safest to make an online purchase with retailers you know and trust. If you see an item online that you like, but may not be familiar with the retailer, go to a website from a trusted retailer you know and search for the same or similar item. In some instances, social media ads can lead you to fake online stores to make a purchase. Always keep in mind, if it looks suspicious, it’s likely something’s not right and you should close out of the retailer’s site immediately.
If you are considering making online purchases during the holiday season, make sure the operating system of the device you’re using is up-to-date. This includes mobile phones, iPads, and laptop and desktop computers. You’ll also want to make sure that you use a complex password to login to your device or a previously created account at an online retailer. If two-factor authentication is available, be sure to take advantage of that extra layer of protection too.
When you use a credit card to make an online purchase, if the card number is stolen to make an unauthorized purchase, under federal law, you have greater liability protection if you are a victim of credit card fraud. And, you may not have the same level of protection with a debit card. With a debit card, the fraudster has direct access to your bank account and can withdraw funds without your authorization.
There are two main ways to confirm the site you are considering making a purchase is secure. Always look for the locked padlock icon in the website address or at the bottom of the page. If the padlock is closed, this indicates that it is a secure site. Check out the site’s URL to make sure that it starts with HTTPS instead of just HTTP. This means that the website is encrypting your data to keep it safe, making it difficult for fraudsters to steal your information.
With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it might be tempting to save time by shopping online using a public Wi-Fi network. But beware – this is one of the easiest ways for a cybercriminal to steal your credit card information during a purchase. Play it safe by sticking to secure networks, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about this holiday season. After all, nothing ruins holiday cheer faster than falling victim to a scam.