The holiday season is merrier when you and the ones you love are safe and sound. And that includes being safe from online criminals. With so much online shopping for holiday gifts, criminals have more opportunities than ever to take advantage of holiday shoppers.
At TDECU, we care about you – and we want to help you know what to look for and learn ways to stay safe. Our tips for staying safe online through the holiday shopping season will help you discover the best ways to avoid identity theft and keep the season merry:
- Be wary of all incoming messages. This includes ads on sites you visit, emails and text messages advertising great deals for the holidays. While many may be legitimate, you're bound to run into a few phishing attempts and fraudulent ads. Avoid clicking on any unsolicited text links and double-check the web addresses related to any sites that advertisements lead you to.
- Stick with retailers you trust. Even if an amazing deal shows up – it's best to avoid it on a site you don't recognize because fraudulent sites pop up and sell unsuspecting customers merchandise that will never deliver. Instead, turn to your trusted favorite online retailers or ones your friends recommend. When you shop on an unfamiliar site, check the site's privacy policy and be sure to familiarize yourself with each retailer's shipping and return policies.
- Don’t skimp on security. Even when you shop at trusted online retailers,
it's good practice to always check the URL to ensure the web address is the one you expect and make sure it contains the padlock symbol, indicating the site is safe. The URL for the site should also start with "https" instead of just "http." The "s" indicates it is secure. - Use a credit card. When you shop with a credit card, you enjoy the extra security and peace of mind that comes with knowing you have zero liability in the event of fraudulent transactions on your account.
- Save your receipts. Be sure to keep track of all purchases you make, including the amounts for each item, and make sure that each purchase amount is correct.
If you find that you’ve become the victim of online shopping fraud, be sure to report the crime ASAP. You can file a complaint with the FTC, the Texas Attorney General, and your local police.
Questions? Give us a call at (800) 839-1154. For more ways to stay safe online, visit our Security and Fraud Center.