The holidays are coming! But with so much to buy and so much to see, please don’t forget – identity protection is key!
The holidays are a time for giving, spending time with family and friends, and of course, shopping. While it’s easy to get lost in the excitement of finding the perfect gift, it’s important to remember to stay safe both online and off. Here are a few tips to help you keep your information protected while shopping online.
We can help you detect if your personal information is at risk so you can take steps to protect your financial health – now and in the future.
Think before you click
Holiday shopping emails and texts are great for finding discounts, but don’t let your guard down. Fake messages asking you about shipping confirmations or changes to your order may appear convincing at first glance, but you could wind up with a virus or malware on your computer or giving up personal information that can be used for fraud. If you receive a message that’s unexpected or from a site you’ve never shopped at, just go ahead and delete it – it’s not worth the risk.
Take care what you share
Be careful about the personal information you share when completing transactions online. Merchants can request more data than we feel comfortable providing. If they do and the information they ask for isn’t needed to complete the sale, then it’s better to cancel your order. Or if the option is available, check out as “guest” to limit the amount of information you have to provide.
Know how much an item should cost
When shopping online, it’s important to have an idea of how an item should cost. Not only will this make you a great comparison shopper but it also helps you know if the prices are too good to be true! Remember: anything that sounds too good probably isn’t real. So do your research and and make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable retailer and not someone looking to steal your personal information.
And if you prefer to do your shopping in person, don’t forget about the low-tech thieves.
Be aware of what’s going on around you to protect your purse or wallet when you go out.
Limit the number of cards and the amount of information you carry to reduce your risk of identity theft.
Log in to your account to update and register any new credit cards so we can help you cancel them as quickly as possible if they are lost or stolen.
By taking these steps, you can help ensure your holiday season will be merry and bright.
