With the holiday season approaching, many of us are starting to shop for gifts. Today’s technology and retailers make it easy to purchase something online and have it delivered right to your front door. But this time of year also inevitably sees an increase in fraud and scams, such as fake websites listing items at bargain prices or text messages about a package’s delivery status but actually contain malicious links. 

Here are some quick safety tips to review during this holiday season: 

Online

• Emails or text messages that have a sense of urgency are a red flag to watch out for. 
• Always make sure that you go directly to your account with a merchant or to their website to find their customer service phone number. Never go by the phone number provided in a text or email. 

In-person

• Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or family member.
• Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to activity around you. 
• Never leave a purse or wallet in a shopping cart unattended.
• Avoid overloading yourself with packages.
• Park as close as you can to your destination and take notice of where you parked.
• Do not leave valuables in open view in your car.

Plus, check out the BBB’s article on the 12 Scams of Christmas. Share with customers and coworkers to protect your finances and personal information.