Online shopping tips

Here is an easy way to remember 5 best practices to avoid fraud

1. Friends and family only: This is the crucial rule of thumb for using person-to-person payment apps. The likelihood of information and money being stolen goes up drastically when your member uses payment apps outside of friends and family. Also, be careful not to overshare on social media. Consider anything you post to be public information. If you receive a holiday greeting card in your inbox, verify the sender before clicking the link to view the card.
2. Remember to use the alert features for your online accounts. This creates layers of protection for your information's security. Use options like text message alerts if a transaction occurs outside your typical radius, card not present or a withdrawal has been made. Keep an eye on the activity in your accounts.
3. Authentication: The layers of authentication are ever so critical and can include:
   • Multi-factor authentication
   • Biometrics
   • Setting strong, unique passwords and usernames
4. Update your devices to help ensure there are the latest security patches. Be suspicious of emails you receive about online purchases. Check the status of your order directly on the website you purchased from so you don't accidentally click on malware.
5. Dollar limits: Limiting the daily dollars spent on credit and debit cards and capping the number of transactions are two significant risk mitigation tools.

Be aware of popular text messaging scams

• Do not click on fraudulent text message links regarding "your package" or "delivery" claiming to be from USPS, UPS or FedEx. Instead visit the website of the company you ordered from to check the delivery status.
• Fraudulent text messages such as "you still haven't claimed your phone worth $1200" or "you have been approved for a loan of $4500" have been popular. Avoid clicking on these text messages, which often try to convey a sense of urgency like "today only" or "in the next 24 hours."

Beware of shopping and travel scams

1. Watch out for Malvertising (malicious advertising): Convincing ads for fake websites, banks, digital wallets and more can con you into having your credentials stolen. Don't click on social media or search engine ads! Look up the actual website.
2. Fake eCommerce shops are out there: 62% of us are online shoppers and we're looking for bargains! Fake online shops often offer items that seem to be out of stock or hard to find everywhere else. They scam shoppers out of money and never send the merchandise purchased. Be wary! Shop with vendors you know and trust.
3. Counterfeit goods: Luxury items like jewelry, purses, electronics and pro sports merchandise are prime targets for counterfeiting. Unknowing shoppers pay high prices and may receive fraudulent or even stolen goods. This is another good reason to shop with vendors you know and trust.
4. Travel scams: Unfortunately, vacation rental cons, fake loyalty programs, sham travel agencies, fraudulent airline tickets, etc. are on the rise. Fraudsters will create completely fake vacation packages, including flights, rental cars and hotel stay. When pricing seems too good to be true, contact the vendor multiple ways to make sure they are legitimate. Better yet, use a travel agent you know.

Fraud is constantly increasing and evolving year-round. Always do your research and use caution whether you are shopping online, reading emails, or receiving texts or phone calls.