As the holiday season approaches, many people turn to online shopping for convenience and efficiency. This leads to a noticeable increase in promotional messages, delivery updates and account notifications.
Cybercriminals often take advantage of this activity by creating fraudulent emails and fake online stores that appear legitimate. These messages frequently resemble real promotions or shipping notices, making it more difficult to distinguish trustworthy communication from potential scams.
Understanding how to evaluate online deals, verify websites and recognize suspicious messages plays a key role in preventing fraud during this busy season.
To stay safe while shopping online this holiday season, keep these tips in mind when evaluating messages, websites and promotional offers.
Confirm the source before you click
During the holiday season, messages about order updates, shipping notices and limited-time deals become more common. Before opening an email or clicking a link, take a moment to confirm the sender and review the URL for accuracy. Scammers often mimic legitimate retailers or delivery services, using look-alike addresses and convincing designs to direct shoppers to fraudulent sites.
Shop only with reputable retailers
Sticking with well-known retailers is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of fraud. Established companies have stronger security practices, clearer return policies and verified customer support channels. If you’re considering a store you haven’t used before, take a moment to confirm that the website is legitimate by checking for a valid web address, looking for contact information and reviewing independent customer feedback. Avoid saving personal or payment information on unfamiliar sites, especially those where you do not have an established account.
Be cautious with social media ads
Holiday promotions frequently appear in social media feeds, often featuring steep discounts or limited-time offers. While many ads are legitimate, some lead to fake stores designed to collect payment information or deliver counterfeit goods. Before purchasing through an ad, verify the retailer independently by visiting its official website or searching for reviews outside the platform.
Scam websites often have warning signs such as poor design quality, incomplete contact information, unusual web addresses, misspelled brand names or checkout pages that feel inconsistent with the rest of the site. If anything seems out of place, it’s safer to avoid the purchase.
Watch for “too good to be true” offers
Deep discounts are common during the holiday season, but unusually low prices or deals that seem unrealistic can be a sign of a scam. Cybercriminals often use eye-catching promotions to draw shoppers to fraudulent websites or to encourage quick clicks on phishing emails. Take a moment to compare prices with other retailers and verify that the promotion comes from a trusted source before making a purchase.
Monitor your accounts regularly
During periods of increased online shopping, it’s helpful to review your bank and credit card activity more frequently. Small, unfamiliar charges can be the first indication that your information has been compromised. Checking your accounts regularly allows you to spot issues early and report suspicious activity to your financial institution before it becomes more serious.
Use secure networks and trusted devices
Public Wi-Fi can make it easier for attackers to intercept information, especially on sites that require logins or payment details. When shopping online, use a secure, private network and avoid entering sensitive information on shared or public devices. Keeping your operating system and browser up to date also helps ensure you are protected by the latest security features.
Turn on two-factor authentication when available
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second verification step when signing in to an account. Even if a password is guessed or stolen, 2FA makes it much harder for attackers to gain access. Enable this feature on shopping accounts, email services and financial platforms whenever possible to reduce the risk of unauthorized activity.
Taking a few extra precautions can make online shopping safer and more secure throughout the holiday season, especially as inbox traffic increases and fraudulent messages become more common.
