5 Ways to Help Protect Yourself From Holiday Scams

Holiday shopping should feel exciting, not stressful. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of the busy season by sending fake delivery notices, creating counterfeit shopping websites, posing as charities, and impersonating banks or merchants.

Here are five simple ways to help protect yourself while shopping this holiday season.

1. Shop directly with retailers you know and trust. Instead of clicking a shopping link in an unexpected text, email, or social-media post, type the retailer’s website into your browser or use its official app. Before entering payment information, double-check the website address for misspellings or unusual wording.

2. Treat urgent messages with caution. A scammer may claim that a package is delayed, your account is locked, or a limited-time deal is about to expire. Pressure to act immediately is a red flag. Pause and independently verify the request using contact information from the company’s official website, app, or your most recent statement.

3. Protect your payment information.
Never share passwords, PINs, one-time verification codes, or full card details with someone who contacts you unexpectedly. Legitimate merchants generally return a refund to the card used for the purchase; they should not need your online-banking credentials or a verification code to do so.

4. Think twice before sending money.
Double-check the recipient before sending money through a payment app, wire transfer, or other person-to-person service. Be especially cautious if someone requests payment by gift card or asks you to keep a transaction secret.

5. Monitor your accounts.
Set up transaction alerts where available, keep your contact information current, and review bank and card activity throughout the season. Save receipts and order confirmations, and report unauthorized activity as soon as you notice it.

A good rule for every unexpected request: Stop. Verify. Then pay.