With holidays around the corner, online shopping is expected to increase—reaching between $210 billion and $218 billion in sales this season, according to Deloitte—and you can be sure that cybercriminals will be working hard to steal as much of that money as possible.
As you shop online, keep these security tips in mind to help protect your financial and personal information.
Avoid using your debit card
Experts recommend using credit cards and third-party payment sources (e.g., PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay) as these are likely to provide more protection against fraud.
Only use secure Wi-Fi when making purchases
If a Wi-Fi hotspot is not properly secured, your credentials such as passwords, card numbers, and account information may be compromised. Shop at home using your private network; if that’s not possible, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
Be careful if it seems too good to be true
Remember, if a price or offer seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam. Before making a purchase, verify the retailer and website are legitimate. You can search online to verify the website’s authenticity.
Beware of phishing scams
If you receive email offers, make sure to verify the sender, content, or link before clicking or downloading anything. Remember, phishers take advantage of the holidays to scam people. (Learn more)
Keep your computer software up to date
That includes the operating system, antivirus, and web browser.
Better Business Bureau at bbb.org
Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov
By Ricardo Borunda, CU Office of Information Security