Look for Fraud
It’s important to be on the lookout for fraud year-round, but especially during the holiday season scammers frequently prey on cyber shoppers.
There are several ways you can protect yourself—and your wallet. Using familiar websites and being cautious of payment red flags are a couple ways to enjoy a scam-free holiday season.
A few other tips to keep you safe from fraud:
- Update your online passwords to ensure they are as strong as possible.
- Make sure your phone/tablet/computer are running on the latest browsers and operating systems.
- Enable online alerts so you are aware of when payments are made.
- Use a credit card when shopping and check your account regularly online. If you see a suspicious transaction, report any fraud right away.
- Never share passwords, one-time pass codes, social security number and bank account numbers. If you are asked to share these, fraud would be the only reason.
- If you receive a check in the mail you weren’t expecting, it’s likely fraud. Don’t deposit checks from unknown sources.
- When browsing, check each website’s URL to make sure it’s legitimate and secure. A site you’re buying from should have https in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t enter your information on that site.
And please take the time to reach out to those in your life that could benefit from these tips. Recent studies show the “under 25 age group” are the most vulnerable to fraud attacks. The second most vulnerable are the population between the ages of 57 to 75, and they lose the most money.