Tips to Avoid Online Shopping Scams
Minute Read
(Edited by Shauna Scarnato)
As holiday shopping ramps up, so does online fraud. Scammers take advantage of the busy season with schemes designed to steal your money and information. Be on the lookout for these common online shopping scams:
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Fake websites: Scammers create websites that look almost identical to real retailers, often with slightly altered URLs.
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Phishing messages: Emails and texts that claim to be from a trusted retailer, asking you to click links or provide payment details.
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Too-good-to-be-true deals: Items priced far below market value to lure shoppers into entering their credit card information.
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Fake ads and pop-ups: Ads on social media or websites that take you to fraudulent sites.
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Impersonating shipping or payment notifications: Messages claiming there’s an issue with a package or payment that ask for personal details.
Don’t worry—by staying vigilant and following a few simple precautions, you can shop safely this season.
1. Shop with reputable retailers and double-check the web address
Stick with stores you know and trust, especially when making big purchases. Before entering payment information, take a quick look at the web address for anything odd like extra words, strange spellings or random characters. Those are major red flags. And before hitting “purchase,” review the retailer’s return and refund policies.
2. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true
Fraudsters know how to lure you in with incredible discounts. Research the product, compare prices across multiple retailers and read reviews before purchasing.
3. Never click on web advertisements or pop-ups
It’s common for scammers to purchase online ads for false websites that look like legitimate retailers. This can result in large amounts of fraud. Instead of clicking, type the retailer’s URL directly into your browser.
4. Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases
Don’t blindly trust public Wi-Fi. Many networks are unsecure, making it easy for hackers to intercept your information. Some fraudsters even set up fake Wi-Fi networks in public places to trick people into connecting and then steal their data. Use your phone’s hotspot or a secure home network when shopping online.
5. Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication
Create unique, complex passwords and consider using a password manager. If available, enable multifactor authentication to add an extra layer of protection.
6. Monitor your accounts
Regularly check your financial accounts and statements for unauthorized charges and report any suspicious activity immediately. Additionally, set up card alerts so you get a notification when a purchase is made.
7. Protect your personal information
Never share unnecessary details like Social Security numbers or financial account information online. Trusted retailers only ask for the basics—like your payment and shipping details—during checkout.
8. Trust your instincts
If something seems off—a strange website, unusual payment request or suspicious email—pause and double-check. Missing a “deal” is better than falling victim to a scam.
9. Keep your devices and browsers updated
Fraudsters love to exploit outdated software. Regularly updating your computer, phone and apps helps close those gaps and adds the latest security protections. Turn on automatic updates whenever possible.
Your best defense against fraudsters is to stay vigilant, think before you click and create strong passwords. Follow these tips to keep yourself safe while shopping online this holiday season (and all year round). Additionally, download our Cybersecurity Awareness Checklist for a step-by-step guide to spotting and stopping fraud. If you suspect fraud on your Members 1st account, call us at (800) 826-4314 or visit one of our nearly 60 branch locations.
