With the upcoming frenzy of Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season, it's essential to stay cyber-safe while indulging in the convenience of e-commerce. As you navigate through a sea of tempting deals and discounts, it's crucial to prepare yourself with knowledge and adopt proactive measures to protect yourself from cyber threats.

1. Does it Sound Too-Good-to-Be-True?‍

It probably is... During sale seasons like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, scammers often take advantage of consumers' excitement by offering unbelievable deals or discounts on popular products. Watch out for:

• Unrealistic prices: If a deal seems unrealistically cheap compared to other reputable retailers, proceed with caution.
• Limited-time pressure: Scammers may create a false sense of urgency by claiming limited quantities or time-sensitive offers. Take a moment to research before making impulsive purchases.
• Unknown sellers: Stick to established retailers or trusted platforms whenever possible. If you are purchasing from an unfamiliar seller or website, do thorough research on their reputation and read customer reviews before proceeding.‍‍

2. Shop Only on Secure Websites

Before entering any payment information, verify the website’s security:

• Check for HTTPS: Look for “https://” at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon in your browser’s address bar. This indicates the site uses encryption to protect data transmitted between your browser and their servers.
• Verify website and ad legitimacy: Cybercriminals create fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers – be extra cautious if you navigate to a site from a really compelling digital advertisement. Check the URL carefully for misspellings or unusual domain extensions. When in doubt, navigate to the company’s website directly rather than clicking links in emails or ads. This attention to detail is important now more than ever with the rise of social commerce, where many people shop directly via platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Before clicking any links in an email, ad, or social media post, always ensure that you are dealing with an authentic retailer and not a sophisticated scammer.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi when purchasing: Public networks at coffee shops, airports, or hotels are notoriously insecure. Hackers can easily intercept data transmitted over these connections. If you must shop while out, use your phone’s mobile data or a trusted VPN service.
• Research unfamiliar retailers: Before purchasing from a new site, look for customer reviews, check their social media presence, and verify their contact information. Legitimate businesses will have clear return policies and customer service channels.

3. Minimize Your Card Information Exposure

Smart shoppers limit what information they share:

• Provide only necessary details: Legitimate retailers need your card number, expiration date, and security code—nothing more. Be suspicious and use caution of sites requesting your PIN, Social Security Number, or driver’s license.
• Use virtual card numbers: Some credit card companies offer virtual card numbers (or temporary numbers) linked to your real account. These can be set with spending limits and expire after use, protecting your actual card details.
• Consider digital wallets: Services like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay use tokenization, replacing your card number with encrypted tokens for each transaction. This will limit what the merchant has access to your actual card information.
• Save card details selectively: While saving your payment information makes checkout faster, it also means your data is stored on that retailer’s servers. We recommend cards on sites you trust and use frequently.

4. Monitor Your Accounts Vigilantly

Regular monitoring helps you catch fraud early:

• Review statements weekly: Don’t wait for your monthly statement. Check your accounts at least weekly for unauthorized charges. Identifying fraud right away makes the resolution process quicker and minimizes the inconvenience to you.
• Set up real-time alerts: Most banks and credit card issuers offer instant notifications for transactions. Enable these alerts so you’ll know immediately of transactions you may not be made aware of.
• Use fraud detection tools: Many financial institutions offer advanced fraud monitoring that flags suspicious activity. Ensure these features are activated or enrolled in these services on your accounts.
• Report discrepancies immediately: If you spot an unauthorized transaction, contact your bank or card issuer right away. Quick reporting typically limits your liability and stops further fraudulent charges.

5. Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated:

• Scrutinize unexpected emails: Be skeptical of emails claiming to be from retailers, banks, or payment processors especially those creating urgency about account problems or incredible deals. Legitimate companies rarely request sensitive information via email.
• Verify sender addresses carefully: Hover over the sender’s name to see the actual email address. Scammers often use addresses that look similar to legitimate ones, with slight misspellings or unusual domains.
• Don’t click suspicious links: Instead of clicking links in emails, manually type the company’s web address into your browser or use a bookmarked link. This protects you from being directed to fake websites.
• Watch for red flags: Poor grammar, generic greetings (“Dear Customer”), requests for immediate action, and too-good-to-be-true offers are classic phishing indicators.
• Verify through official channels: If you receive a concerning message claiming to be from a company, contact them directly using the phone number or email address on their official website, not the contact information provided in the suspicious message.

Online shopping doesn’t have to be risky. By implementing these security practices, staying informed about emerging threats, and remaining vigilant about your financial accounts, you can enjoy the convenience of online shopping with confidence. Remember: when something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. Your financial security is worth the extra few minutes of verification.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​