7 Quick Tips Before Holiday Shopping Online

Believe it or not, the holidays are almost here. Stores are decking the halls, putting up sale signs, and sending out coupon codes to their email lists.

 Unfortunately, scammers and thieves don’t take holidays off. Whether you’re shopping online or in person, always keep safety and security top of mind.

Origin Bank has tips and tools to help keep scammers from dampening your holiday spirit.

Shop safe, stop scammers

When you’re shopping online, it’s important to keep your personal and financial information safe. Here are seven quick tips to shop safely and stop scammers in their tracks:

  1. Buy from secure websites only. Some deals are too good to be true, leading you to phony sites that steal sensitive information or infect your device with malware. Keep an eye out for misspellings, or sites using a suspicious-looking top-level domain (like .io instead of .com, for instance). Remember that the URL for secure sites should start with “https” instead of “http,” and a padlock icon should appear in the address bar.
  2. Research the site before purchasing. If a site or seller seems suspicious, Google them before you shop. Other shoppers often share reviews on Yelp or Google, and the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker page shares user-posted stories of purchases gone wrong. So before you enter your information, do your due diligence and research the company first.
  3. Never shop on a publicly accessible Wi-Fi network. Many public wi-fi hotspots are unencrypted, meaning they transmit data in plain text. This makes it easy for hackers to intercept your online activities and skim your information.
  4. Change your passwords. Experts recommend changing your passwords every six months. They also recommend using a totally unique password for your financial accounts as an extra barrier of protection.
  5. Check for software updates on your laptops and mobile devices. Software updates aren’t just for shiny new interfaces – they often include security patches, too. These patches fix known flaws in your software, making it tougher for cybercriminals to compromise your device.
  6. Be careful what you click. Texts and emails are rife with phishing scams attempting to trick you into entering personal information. In some cases, simply opening these messages can install malware to your device. Remember that Origin will never call, text, or email to ask for personally identifying information, security codes, passwords, PINs, or account numbers. Always reach out directly to your local banking center or our Customer Support team before confirming any details.
  7. Use Origin’s debit alerts. With debit alerts, Origin will inform you of each transaction, making it easier to spot questionable activity and freeze your card if it becomes compromised. Download our mobile app to manage more security features, and contact our around-the-clock customer support if you need personal assistance.

At Origin, we believe safe holidays are better holidays. Making a list and checking it twice should include protecting your personal information while shopping online. With these simple, smart steps, you can safeguard your accounts and ensure a scam-free holiday season. Contact us for more ways to keep yourself protected all year round.