Holiday Shopping Safety Tips: Stay Smart, Shop Secure, and Celebrate Stress-Free

The Most Wonderful and Riskiest Time of the Year

The holiday season brings plenty of excitement, from special deals to gift giving and festive online browsing, but it is also one of the busiest seasons for online scams. With Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and year end promotions driving record digital traffic, cybercriminals take advantage of shoppers who are rushed or distracted.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, shopping scams are among the top sources of financial loss for Americans. Fake websites, phishing emails, and misleading social ads increase sharply during the holidays, and many are designed to look identical to legitimate retailers. A little awareness can keep your information and your wallet safe. Here are the tips you need this season.

Spotting Holiday Scams Before They Spot You

Scammers look for opportunities during peak shopping periods. Watch for these warning signs:

• Websites with slight URL changes or unusual spelling. Many fake sites resemble legitimate brands and rely on small details to mislead shoppers. Always check for HTTPS and a padlock icon.
• Deals that seem unrealistic. If a discount looks far better than anything offered by the official retailer, take a moment to verify it.
• Delivery or account alerts that you were not expecting. Messages about delayed packages or account verification often lead to phishing pages. Always check the retailer or shipping provider directly.

Tip: Go directly to a retailer’s site instead of clicking links sent through email or social media.

Safe Shopping 101

A few simple habits can make holiday shopping much safer:

• Use credit cards rather than debit cards. Credit cards offer stronger protection if your information is compromised, and disputes are easier to resolve.
• Avoid purchasing items while connected to public Wi Fi networks. Open networks at coffee shops, hotels, or airports make your data more vulnerable. Use your phone’s hotspot if you need to shop away from home.
• Save your receipts, either digitally or on paper. Having a record of large purchases is helpful if you need to dispute a charge later.

Tip: Turn on purchase alerts from your bank so you can spot unfamiliar transactions immediately.

Protecting Your Identity This Holiday Season

Identity theft also increases during the holidays. With more accounts, payments, and personal data moving between devices, criminals often try to intercept or misuse this information. Here are smart steps to take:

• Use strong and unique passwords for each retailer. A password manager can help keep them organized.
• Enable two step verification on any account that offers it.
• Avoid saving payment information in your browser, since this can be accessed if your device is compromised.
• Monitor your credit regularly. Many banks and credit bureaus offer free alerts when a new account is opened in your name.

Tip: Update passwords and review bank statements more often during the holiday season.

Mercury’s Holiday Connection

At Mercury, we believe that a reliable connection should support your lifestyle and help keep your personal information protected. That is why we share safety resources along with fast and dependable internet service. This season, consider sharing these tips with friends and family. A few small precautions can keep everyone safer and allow you to focus on time together.