Shop Safely Online this Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and many of us are putting together gift lists for family and friends. While the season is full of joy and giving, it is important to stay vigilant and beware of potential scams. Whether purchasing holiday gifts or taking advantage of retail sales events, below are some tips to help you have a safe, online shopping experience.

Use a virtual private network

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a useful tool if you plan on diving into online shopping. This is especially true if you spend any amount of time using public Wi-Fi networks, as they are not as secure as private networks. A VPN makes sure that your data and personal information is secure, regardless of how you access the internet. Without a VPN, you leave yourself vulnerable to attacks.

When considering a VPN, be aware that it can lower your device’s internet connectivity speed and potentially cause you to be blocked by websites that require knowing your specific location. Also, reliable VPNs typically require a paid subscription, as many of the free options will record and sell your data—which defeats the purpose of using a VPN.

Protect your card information

Many websites offer the option to save your debit or credit card information for a faster checkout experience. While this option can be convenient, it is not the safest option; as saving your information on a vendor’s website could put your account at risk for fraud.

To better protect yourself from becoming a victim of an online criminal attack, always manually enter your card information. This makes it more difficult for your personal information to be stolen.

Watch out for unbelievable deals

Scammers ramp up their criminal activities during the holiday season, preying on the goodwill and trust of the average American consumer. Many people may be looking to save money or find a great deal, which can make them more vulnerable to the dangers of online scams. Shoppers searching for the ideal gift on social media should be particularly cautious, as cybercriminals can lure in unsuspecting customers with amazing deals, free products and any number of clickbait ads, all in an effort to swipe personal details and/or credit and debit card information. It’s a good idea to approach any so-called deal with a fair amount of caution and do some secondary research to ensure you are buying from a legitimate source.

Warning signs of fraudulent sites and bogus ad campaigns include:

• A poorly designed website with misspelled words and grammatical errors
• URLs with domains that you may not recognize (ex: .bargain, .app or a foreign domain instead of .com or .net)
• Inconsistencies in listings of the business name
• Unusual or unfamiliar word choices that make you question authenticity

As a general rule for online safety, never click on a link you do not recognize.

Beware of phishing scams

This time of year, retailers are running more ad campaigns, which means that your inbox can be full of emails claiming to have the best deals that you “don’t want to miss.” Cybercriminals can take advantage of the increased email traffic by sliding a fraudulent message into your inbox that contains a phishing scam to try to trick you into providing confidential account information. Before providing any of your personal data, stop and think twice. Verify the communication is from a reputable company by contacting them through a known or published contact or phone number on their official website. Never use a phone number or contact provided in a suspicious email.

Make sure your donations go to legitimate charities

One of the hallmarks of the holiday season is the increase of contributions made through financial generosity. Fraudsters recognize this spike in giving and attempt to steal money from people trying to donate to real charities. These scammers can be particularly crafty by making bogus calls and generating fake websites that claim to be a legitimate charity. Exercise the same precautions for charities that you would other businesses when determining their validity, and if you feel like you’re being strong-armed into making a donation, cut off communication. Aggressive and high-pressure sales tactics are common red flags that can help you spot an illegitimate charity.

When in doubt, contact a charity directly or visit their official website before donating to ensure that your contribution is going to the right place.

Protect yourself with myTrustmark^®

A great way to stay on top of your accounts while you engage in online holiday shopping is to take advantage of mobile banking apps, like myTrustmark. With myTrustmark, you can enable automatic notifications for account activities, including transactions, transfers, account login attempts and account information changes. As you make your way through your holiday gift list, be mindful of your online shopping activities and routinely monitor your accounts.

To learn more about different types of fraud and how to report suspicious or suspected fraudulent activity, visit our Fraud Prevention page.

At Trustmark, we believe the privacy and security of our customers’ information is of utmost importance. We will never request confidential information via email, text, phone or social media; however, we may ask you for your information to verify your identity if you call us. If you receive any unsolicited emails, text messages or phone calls allegedly from Trustmark requesting confidential information, contact us immediately at 800.243.2524, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT.