Katie Bassett
Blogger

Online holiday shopping has ultimately changed the way parents shop for their loved ones. Instead of hiring a babysitter and hoping to take care of all the holiday shopping in a matter of hours, parents can simply sit in the couch while the little ones nap and browse the internet for the best presents. Adding gifts to a virtual cart and paying within minutes without a line seems ideal, and there’s no doubt that this has saved us numerous dreadful trips to the overbearing mall. However, online shopping during the holidays comes with a new set of risks that all parents should realize.

The threat of cybercrime and credit card fraud spike during the holidays; in fact, an estimated 50 million cybercrime attacks will strike online retailers during the 2016 holiday shopping season. As an innocent shopper, there are ways to better protect yourself from the cybercriminals threatening to ruin your merry season. See an online ad too good to be true? It probably is. Don’t fall victim to an online scam and learn about ways to protect yourself.

Eight Safety Tips to Avoid Online Holiday Scams

1. Set up alerts features on your card that can warn you when abnormal activity occurs.
2. Use a credit card vs. debit card. Should suspected credit card fraud or any other cybercrime occur, it is easier to resolve issues with a credit card company versus a bank.
3. Make sure you are purchasing from a website with a secure HTTPS. Check the address line of your browser during the entire purchasing process; it should always read HTTPS and include a lock symbol.
4. Open Wi-Fi isn’t secure and can be easily accessed by hackers. Never use an open Wi-Fi to check bank account information or other accounts where your credit card information could be accessed.
5. Phishing campaigns lure customers in through via email, so be attentive to what is coming through your inbox.
6. Emails after purchase stating your credit card information did not go through can be another form of phishing. These emails request a buyer to re-enter credit card information. If you receive an email like this, call the company directly.
7. Never give out more information than is necessary when signing up for a rewards program, especially during the holidays. No company needs your social security number to set up a frequent shopper card.
8. Review your statements, especially in January and February. Even small charges you don’t remember making can be fraud indications, so don’t be afraid to act on them.

About Katie Bassett

Katie primarily focuses her research and writing efforts on youth safety and development. Right now, she is concentrating on advocacy projects for Mayor Law.

View all posts by Katie Bassett here.

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