Stay Safe This Holiday Season: Tips to Avoid Shopping Scams

The holiday season brings joy, celebrations, and the excitement of gift-giving. Unfortunately, it also attracts scammers looking to take advantage of busy shoppers. As you prepare for the festivities, it's important to stay vigilant against common holiday scams. Here are some practical tips from UT Federal Credit Union to help you shop smart and protect your finances this season.

Watch Out For Fake Online Stores

The convenience of online shopping can sometimes come with risks, like counterfeit websites that mimic legitimate retailers. These sites often feature deals that seem too good to be true.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Verify the legitimacy of websites by checking the URL for misspellings or extra characters (e.g., "amaz0n.com").
• Stick to trusted retailers and look for verified reviews.
• If a deal seems suspicious, trust your instincts—it’s better to miss out than to fall victim to fraud.

Be Cautious with Charitable Donations

Scammers posing as fake charities often target the season of giving. These fraudsters pressure people to donate quickly without providing verifiable information about their organizations.

How to Protect Yourself

• Research charities through trusted resources like Charity Navigator.
• Avoid unsolicited requests via email or social media.
• Make donations through secure channels and keep a record of your contribution.

Stay Alert to Gift Card Scams

Gift cards are a popular holiday gift, but they're also a frequent target for fraud. Scammers may tamper with packaging or pressure you to make payments using gift cards.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Purchase gift cards directly from stores and inspect packaging for signs of tampering.
• Avoid sharing gift card details online unless you're on a secure and verified website.

Avoid Package Delivery Scams

Fake delivery notifications are a common holiday scam. Fraudsters send emails or texts with malicious links to steal your personal information.

How to Protect Yourself:

• Only track packages through official retailer or shipping company websites.
• Ignore emails or texts with generic greetings or poor grammar.

Shop Safely on Social Media Marketplaces

Social media is a hotspot for holiday shopping—but it’s also a playground for scammers selling counterfeit goods or failing to deliver products.

How to Protect Yourself

• Use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or PayPal.
• Be cautious of deals that seem "too good to be true."

General Holiday Shopping Tips

Enable Alerts: Set up account notifications to monitor suspicious activity.

Use Secure Wi-Fi: Avoid shopping or entering sensitive information over public networks.

Check Your Accounts: Regularly review account statements for unauthorized transactions.

Strengthen Passwords: Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication for online accounts.

How UTFCU Can Help

At UT Federal Credit Union, we're committed to protecting our members from fraud and providing tools to make your financial life easier:

• Account Alerts: Monitor your accounts in real time with customizable alerts.
• Fraud Assistance: Our team is here to help if you suspect unauthorized activity on your account.
• Educational Resources: Stay informed with tips and articles on recognizing and avoiding scams.

For even more holiday shopping tips and a complete list of scams to watch for, check out our full blog: Stay Safe This Holiday Season: How to Avoid Common Shopping Scams.

At UTFCU, your financial security is our top priority. Stay safe, shop smart, and enjoy a stress-free holiday season!

This post is brought to you by UT Federal Credit Union, committed to safeguarding your financial well-being throughout the year.