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7 Tips to Shop Online Safely this Holiday Season

The holidays bring joy — and a rise in online scams! In 2025, U.S. online sales are expected to hit a record $1 trillion. If you’re shopping online this season, follow these tips to stay safe. Secure your mobile device. ​Keep your operating system updated and use biometrics like face or fingerprint recognition with a strong passcode for better security. Limit app permissions. Review and restrict app permissions to only what is necessary, and avoid sharing sensitive data like contacts or location unless essential. Beware of suspicious calls and texts. Don’t answer calls and texts from unknown numbers! Cybercriminals may pose as legitimate businesses to steal personal information. Use secure Wi-Fi for online transactions. When using public Wi-Fi, only make transactions on HTTPS sites. If it’s easy for you to join, it’s easy for cybercriminals to do so too! Monitor your financial accounts. Keep a close eye on your accounts for suspicious activity to stop fraud early. Shop responsibly. Look for “https” and a padlock icon in the web address before entering payment. Go directly to retailer sites instead of clicking on links in emails or ads. Verify new stores through reviews or official marketplace. Pay safely. Use credit cards or digital wallets for protection and set up transaction alerts to monitor suspicious activity. If you believe you have been the victim of an online scam, report it to the authorities immediately. If your personal or financial information has been stolen or compromised, visit IdentityTheft.gov for resources and additional support. For additional tips to protect yourself from fraud, visit nycers.org/fraud.