Protect Yourself from Holiday Fraud

The holidays are a time for shopping, giving and celebrating with family and friends. Unfortunately, the increase in spending and online activity can also create more opportunities for scammers.

As you check items off your holiday list, keep these simple tips in mind to help protect your money and personal information.

Think Before You Click

Holiday deals can arrive through emails, text messages and social media ads, but not every offer is legitimate. Scammers may create messages or websites that look convincing in hopes of getting you to share personal or financial information.

Before clicking a link, take a moment to look closely at the sender and the web address. When in doubt, navigate directly to the company's official website instead.

Don't let a countdown, limited-time offer or urgent message rush you into making a decision.

Be Cautious of Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True

Deep discounts can be tempting when you're trying to stretch your holiday budget, but an unusually low price can be a warning sign.

Be especially careful with unfamiliar websites reached through social media advertisements, since scammers may impersonate legitimate companies and advertise brand-name products at unusually low prices.

Shop Safely Online

A great holiday deal can be tempting, especially when you're trying to stick to a budget. Before purchasing from an unfamiliar website, research the retailer and look for signs that the business is legitimate.

For safer online shopping:

• Double-check website addresses for misspellings.
• Be cautious of prices that seem unusually low.
• Avoid making purchases while connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi.
• Keep your receipts and order confirmations.
• Review return and refund policies before buying.

When possible, using a credit card can also provide additional protections if there is a problem with your purchase. 

Protect Your Accounts

Between shopping, traveling and holiday activities, it can be easy to overlook what's happening in your accounts. Make a habit of checking them regularly throughout the season.

You can also strengthen your security by:

• Using strong, unique passwords.
• Turning on multifactor authentication when available.
• Setting up account and transaction alerts.
• Avoiding sharing passwords, PINs or verification codes.
• Reporting unfamiliar transactions promptly.

A few minutes spent reviewing your accounts each week could help you spot suspicious activity sooner.

Pause Before Sending Money

Scammers often rely on urgency. You might receive a message claiming a family member needs money immediately, you've won a prize or there's a problem that requires an urgent payment.

Before sending money, stop, verify and think. Contact the person, business or organization independently using contact information you already trust. Don't use the phone number or link provided in a suspicious message.

Give Carefully

The holidays are also a popular time for charitable giving. Before donating, research the organization and make sure you know where your money is going.

Be especially cautious when someone pressures you to donate immediately or requests sensitive financial information. Instead of following an unsolicited link, search for the organization's official website yourself.

Stay Alert This Holiday Season

Holiday fraud can happen quickly, but slowing down can be one of your best defenses. Think before you click, question unexpected requests, monitor your accounts and verify before sending money or sharing information.