Online Tips for Holiday Shopping

Check out tips from Hawaii State FCU on how to guard yourself from some common holiday shopping scams

With the holiday season in full swing, retailers will be promoting a lot of great deals…and scammers will be looking for ways to trick you into giving up your personal information. Here are a few things you can do to avoid common holiday shopping scams. 

• Don’t get “phished in” by a good deal: Use caution when opening emails and texts that promise amazing deals. Don’t click on suspicious links, and never provide sensitive information when prompted via email, text or online form. 

• Track your purchases: Scammers will sometimes send fake shipping alerts via text or email to try to gain your personal information. Verify the shipping status of your purchases with the seller directly. 

• Shop securely: Public wi-fi at the mall or coffee shop may be convenient, but limit yourself to general browsing when using it. Use secure connections when managing finances or making online purchases. 

• Always read the fine print: This one isn’t necessarily a scam, but can sometimes result in added costs when making online purchases. Carefully check promotional offers before buying. Some companies place restrictions or exceptions on things such as free shipping, especially to Hawaii. 

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