Tis the Season for lots of shopping! Most of us are suddenly scrambling as we realize our holiday lists are not nearly as complete as we thought they were. With the flurry of extra activity it becomes harder for consumers and retailers alike to keep our accounts secure. But there are things we can do.
Review your statements. It is likely that purchase activity on your bank and credit card accounts is higher than usual. More activity makes it easier for fraudulent purchases to be overlooked. Review and reconcile purchases. If you notice any questionable activity, follow up with your financial institution immediately.
Shop from a secure device. It is safest to do online shopping at home. StaySafeOnline.org and Webroot remind us to make sure our system and security software are up to date before shopping; to be wary of public hot spots such as coffee shops and hotels; and, to be cautious of shopping from a tablet or phone. (Tablets and phones are exposed to many more networks than your home system.)
Be cautious of online bargains and email fliers. It is difficult to discern legitimate offers from fraudulent ones. When in doubt, DON'T CLICK. Most major vendors will offer you the same deals when you log into their website with your account. If not, it is quite possibly a scam. If you are looking for a vendor, use your search engine, NOT a hyperlink in an email or a banner ad.
Use an isolated email account. When shopping online, use an email address that is NOT linked to your financial institutions or other legitimate accounts. This makes it harder for criminals to use Social Engineering to gain access to your main accounts.
Think before responding to follow-up communications. Follow-up information might be phishing. You may be getting an email or phone call about your order if there's a problem. On the other hand, is Amazon likely to be calling you? Did you even give them a number? Does your credit card HAVE your work or cell number? Is that REALLY a tracking email? Or phishing made to look like it is from UPS? Look up a callback number - do not use the one provided. If it is an email, use the main website or your search engine for contact information, NOT the information in the email. Do not give out personal information until you are certain you know who you are responding to. Don not give out more personal information than necessary.
Use traceable, protected payment options. A credit card is the safest way to shop online. It does not give thieves potential access to your bank account.
Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season!!
