The holiday season is fast approaching, which means that many of you will begin searching to find the right gifts for your loved ones. It’s estimated that over 10% of those gifts will be purchased online. Unfortunately, the increased amount of purchases and the hectic nature of the holidays create an opportunity that can be exploited by criminals.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself:
- Be careful when clicking on links contained within your emails or texts. The great deal might just be too good to be true and instead is a phishing attack designed to infect your device or steal information such as credentials or credit card details. It’s safer to directly access the vendor’s website by typing the website name in your browser.
- Similarly, some criminals set up websites to attempt to lure unsuspecting buyers with deals. These sites can be access by phishing emails, or via online web searches. It’s best to interact with vendors which you already know and trust.
- Be sure that your devices are updated regularly and protected by firewalls and antivirus software. Malware on your devices can steal credentials, credit card data, and other sensitive information while you make your purchases or check online balances. Consider using a different device for online shopping and banking, then the one used by your children to play the latest online game.
- Monitor your transactions and statements to look for fraudulent transactions. If you find any, report them to your financial institution immediately. Consider using alerts, such as those offered in First Mid’s online banking, as a quick notification for specific transactions, such as those that are over a defined threshold.
