How to Protect Your Wallet This Holiday Season

The biggest shopping time of the year is coming up, and with it, unfortunately, comes an increased risk of scams and fraud. From Black Friday and Cyber Monday to the rush of online shopping in the weeks that follow, fraud attempts tend to spike right when you’re trying to find the best deals.  

Whether you’re shopping online or in-store, taking a few extra precautions can help protect your wallet, your credit, and your personal information. Here’s what to watch for, and how to stay safe. 

Shop Only on Secure Websites 

Before entering any personal or payment information, double-check that the website is legitimate. To do so, look for: 

• HTTPS at the start of the URL 
• A lock icon in the address bar 
• A web address that’s spelled correctly (fraudulent sites often use small misspellings) 

Scammers often design fake websites to mimic major retailers and lure shoppers with steep discounts. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. 

Use Strong, Unique Passwords 

With so many holiday orders and account logins, it can be tempting to reuse passwords, but doing so puts your information at risk. Create strong, unique passwords for shopping accounts, and consider using a password manager to keep them organized. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to access your account, even if a website’s data is compromised. 

Don’t Click on Suspicious Emails or Texts 

Phishing attempts increase dramatically during the holidays. Scammers may send messages disguised as “delivery notifications,” “order confirmation” emails or “exclusive deal” alerts. 

Instead of clicking links, go directly to the retailer’s website or app to check your account. One wrong click can expose you to malware or redirect you to a fake login page designed to steal your information. 

Monitor Your Accounts Regularly 

With a flurry of holiday purchases, it’s easy to miss small fraudulent charges. Make a habit of checking your accounts daily or enabling real-time transaction alerts. This will help you catch unauthorized activity early and limit potential damage. 

If you’re a Service Credit Union member, our digital banking tools make it easy to monitor your accounts and lock or unlock your cards instantly. 

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Shopping or Banking 

Public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in airports, cafés, and malls, are convenient but not secure. Hackers can intercept data sent over these networks, including credit card numbers and login information. 

If you need to make a purchase or check your account on the go, use your mobile data or a secure, private connection. 

Use Credit Cards Instead of Debit When Shopping Online 

Credit cards offer stronger fraud protection than debit cards, which pull funds directly from your bank account. If your card information is compromised during an online transaction, you’re better protected from unauthorized charges and can dispute transactions more easily. 

Service Credit Union credit cards come with advanced security features to help safeguard your holiday spending. 

Keep Your Phone’s Security Features Up to Date 

Whether you’re using mobile wallets, banking apps, or shopping apps, your phone is a central part of your holiday spending. Make sure you: 

• Update your operating system 
• Turn on biometric authentication 
• Enable automatic app updates 

These updates often include important security patches that help protect your information. 

Watch Out for Gift Card Scams 

Gift cards make great presents, but they’re also a favorite tool for scammers. Be wary of websites offering gift cards at steep discounts or sellers requesting gift card payments for purchases or debt. 

Only purchase gift cards from trusted retailers, and examine the packaging to ensure the card hasn’t been tampered with. 

With a little extra attention, you can enjoy the holiday season without worrying about scams or credit card fraud. Service Credit Union is here to help you protect your finances year-round with secure digital banking tools, fraud monitoring, and card controls that give you peace of mind during the busiest shopping days of the year.