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Secure Shopping Tips for the Holidays

Published: December 5, 2023

Secure Shopping Tips for the Holidays

This time of year, online shopping surges as consumers scramble to buy holiday gifts and find the best deals online. Unfortunately, scammers know this all too well and will be trying to take advantage of unaware shoppers. People often report credit card fraud and phishing and shipping scams during the holiday season. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that these scams cost consumers more than $500 million in 2022! When doing your holiday shopping online this year, be sure to follow these steps to avoid letting criminals rob you of your hard-earned money and holiday spirit:

  • Stick to reputable companies when making purchases. With the surge in online shopping, verify a company's credibility by checking the Better Business Bureau at bbb.org. Explore consumer reviews by searching for the company name alongside terms like "complaint," "review," or "scam." Be cautious about purchasing products from social media ads; instead, opt for legitimate retailers or websites.

  • Exercise caution with phony retail websites. Beware of fake sites resembling legitimate online merchants. Scammers may entice you with promises of a "free gift" or unbeatable deals. Scrutinize website names for errors and avoid clicking on links from unsolicited texts or emails.

  • Opt for credit cards for added protection during purchases. Credit cards offer superior safeguards against fraud compared to cash, debit cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Utilize card controls for your USSFCU cards to manage and monitor your transactions, helping you keep your cards safe.

  • Stay alert to package delivery scams. Be wary of messages claiming to be from shipping companies like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, or FedEx regarding missed deliveries or package updates. Avoid interaction and instead contact the actual shipping company or online merchant to confirm any issues.

  • Be cautious of fake order confirmations. Scammers may impersonate major retailers, such as Amazon or Walmart, confirming large purchases via text or email. Verify your account status directly on the retailer's official website, avoiding links or phone numbers provided in suspicious messages.

  • Prevent package theft by tracking deliveries and considering alternative delivery locations. Have packages sent to your workplace or ask a neighbor to collect them if you're away.

  • Exercise caution with links. Avoid clicking on links in ads, e-greeting cards, or notifications about delivery issues or compromised accounts. Verify purchases or account status directly through a retailer's official website or phone number.

  • Steer clear of fraudulent charities. Be skeptical of unsolicited texts, emails, or social media ads requesting donations via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Use trusted websites like Charity Navigator and Give.org to verify charities and understand how they allocate donations.

  • Mind return policies and monitor banking and credit accounts. Familiarize yourself with a business's return policy and regularly check your financial accounts for unauthorized charges. Report unfamiliar charges promptly to your financial provider and consider setting up fraud alerts.

Report fraudulent activity on your USSFCU account(s) to us immediately

As a reminder, USSFCU will never ask you for your personal information via text or email. If you receive a text or email from USSFCU requesting any personal information, do not reply, instead contact us immediately at 800.374.2758.

What to Do If You Fall Victim to a Scam

Despite precautions, if you encounter fraudulent activity, act promptly:

  1. Report the fraud to the relevant financial provider or authorities.
  2. Contact Law Enforcement: Report the crime to local law enforcement, file a complaint with the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Data source: FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Article content and third-party links are provided for information purposes only. 

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