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Guest article by Rhonda Martin, Plan for Wealth Ltd.
Holiday buzz is in the air, and with all the gift-buying and online hustle, our credit cards can get a serious workout. Unfortunately, scammers know this is a busy time and are eager to seek opportunities to steal.
Let’s keep your shopping joyful and your financial information safe. Here are some easy-to-follow tips for keeping your credit card and other personal information secure this holiday season:
🎁 Online Shopping & Device Security Tips
When shopping online, Shop Smart on Secure Sites. Before you check out, look for the “https://” in the website address and that little padlock symbol (🔒). That “s” means it’s secure, and your payment info is protected!
Next, it’s a great time to Give Your Passwords a Holiday Makeover. Use super strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts — especially shopping and banking sites. A password manager can be a real lifesaver here!
Remember to Say No to Public Wi-Fi for Payments. That free Wi-Fi at the coffee shop is great for scrolling, but don’t use it to enter credit card details or log into your bank account. Stick to a secure home network or your phone’s cellular data.
Also, Keep Your Computer’s Software Up-to-Date. Those little reminders to update your computer, phone, or apps? Don’t ignore them! Updates often contain security fixes that keep the bad guys out and protect your personal information.
Finally, Embrace Mobile Payments. Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or contactless payment in stores. They encrypt your information, so your actual card number is never shared with the retailer!
🔍 Monitoring Your Accounts is Key
You should Be an Account Detective by checking your credit card and bank statements often — maybe even daily during the peak shopping weeks. Catching an unauthorized charge and reporting it right away is the fastest way to stop fraud.
To help with this, Turn on Transaction Alerts. Set up text or email alerts with your bank. That way, you get a notification instantly for any purchase over a set amount, and you’ll know immediately if something is suspicious.
It’s good to Know Your Protections. Remember that credit cards often come with “Zero Liability” protection. If your card is used fraudulently, you usually won’t be responsible for the charges. This is one reason it’s often safer to use a credit card than a debit card for holiday shopping!
To keep things manageable, Simplify Your Spending by trying to use just one or two credit cards for your holiday purchases. It makes it much easier to keep track of everything and spot anything unusual.
🛑 Avoiding Holiday Scams
Be careful not to fall for Phishing Tricks. Beware of urgent emails, texts, or calls asking for personal details, even if they look like they’re from Amazon or your bank. Legitimate companies will never ask for your login details, password, or full card number this way.
Also, Be Wary of “Missed Delivery” Scams. Scammers love to send texts about a delayed or missed package with a link to click. Don’t click it! Go directly to the shipping company’s official website and use your tracking number instead.
Lastly, make sure to Verify Charity Requests. The holidays are a generous time, but con artists use this too. Always research a charity before donating and be suspicious if they ask you to pay with an unusual method like a gift card, cryptocurrency, or wire transfer.
🛍️ Staying Safe in Stores
When you’re out and about, Shield Your Personal Identification Number (PIN). When you use a credit card reader or ATM, always cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. This protects you from “shoulder surfers” and hidden cameras.
Always Check the Card Reader. Give the ATM or payment terminal a quick once-over. If anything looks loose, bulky, or odd around the card slot, find another machine. It could be a card-skimming device!
Remember these tips during the busy holiday shopping season. Remain alert and trust your gut, if something feels off, take a moment to assess the situation. If you’re in doubt, don’t proceed with the purchase.
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