Online Shopping Fraud Prevention Tips

Minute Read

Great deals from retailers have been released, and it’s time to start shopping for gifts for your friends and loved ones. If you’ll be doing your shopping online this year, it’s important to watch out for fraudsters that will be trying to get their hands on your personal and financial information.

Check out this list of tips to help you stay safe while shopping online this holiday season.

1. Only shop from reputable retailers and check the fine print.

• Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon in the address bar, indicating a secure connection.
• You can verify a site by clicking on the padlock and clicking "view certificate." This will provide you with additional information on the site you are connected to and allow you to see if a trusted third party verifies it.
  
• Always verify return and refund policies before making purchases, especially from unfamiliar retailers.

2. Be cautious of unbelievable deals.

• If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Research the item and compare prices.

3. Never click on web advertisements or pop-up sites.

• It is common for scammers to purchase online ads for false websites that look like legitimate retailers. This can result in large amounts of fraud. Pause and look closely at ads before you click.
• If you like what the ad has to say, enter the company’s website in the address bar yourself, rather than clicking on the ad, to see if the deal is legitimate.

4. Avoid using public Wi-Fi.

• Do not blindly trust public Wi-Fi, as it is easy to manipulate. Fraudsters often broadcast their own versions of Wi-Fi in public places, allowing them to steal information from anyone who connects.

5. Use strong passwords and enable Two-Factor Authentication.

• Create unique, strong passwords for shopping accounts. Consider using a password manager to help manage complex passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication for all online accounts to provide an extra layer of security on top of the complex passwords.

6. Monitor your accounts.

• Regularly check your bank and credit card accounts and statements for unauthorized charges and report any suspicious activity immediately. Set up card alerts with your credit card provider so you get a notification when a purchase is made.
• Consider using a credit card for online shopping. Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards.

Your best defense against fraudsters is to stay vigilant, think before you click and create strong passwords to stay safe. Follow these tips to keep yourself safe while online shopping this holiday season. If you suspect fraud on your account, call us at (800) 826-4314 or visit one of our nearly 60 branch locations.