Source: Experian  

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and unfortunately that also means it’s the season of holiday scams. The increased risk of being ripped off adds even more stress to an already stressful time, but don’t fear! There are things that you can do to protect yourself from falling victim to a scam and having your personal information compromised.

Here are seven tips from Experian to help you avoid being the victim of a holiday shopping scam:

1. BE CAUTIOUS WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE
   • Be careful of – or avoid altogether – sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and NextDoor.
   • Use traceable methods of payment, like a credit or debit card, or peer-to-peer payment methods like Venmo or PayPal.
   • Look out for “too good to be true” deals.
2. DON’T FALL FOR PHONY DELIVERY SCAMS
   • Don’t click on any links within a text or email that prompts you to hand over information.
   • Instead, track packages by logging directly into a delivery service’s website.
3. SAFEGUARD YOUR PASSWORDS
   • Use a unique password for all accounts.
   • Turn on multifactor authentication.
4. CHECK FOR SKIMMING DEVICES
   • When shopping in stores, be on the lookout for card-skimming devices that may be attached to an ATM or card reader.
   • Use a tap-to-pay card or digital wallet on your phone when possible.
5. DON’T SHOP ON PUBLIC WI-FI
   • Never log into accounts or shop online when connected to an unsecure network.
6. IGNORE “GET RICH FROM HOME” JOB ADS
   • Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
   • Only use trusted platforms looking for local businesses that need seasonal help if you’re looking for ways to make some extra money during the holidays.
7. VERIFY REQUESTS FOR DONATIONS
   • Check out a charitable organizations website online to find a legitimate phone number or an online donation option if you’d like to give back this holiday season.

Bank of the Valley is a Member FDIC