Between flash sales, social media ads, last-minute gift hunting, and package delivery notifications, online shopping can feel overwhelming, especially during the holidays. Scammers know this, unfortunately. They create fake online stores, impersonate trusted retailers, and send convincing messages designed to trick shoppers into clicking malicious links or handing over personal information. With AI tools, they can create realistic-looking product photos, reviews, and ads.

But by following a few cybersecurity habits, you can reduce your chances of getting scammed and shop with confidence year-round.

1. Stick to trusted retailers

Focus on shopping with legitimate sellers. Scammers often create websites that look like familiar brands, using stolen logos, product photos, and nearly identical web addresses. Here's what to do:

• Visit official websites. Type the retailer's web address into your browser or use a trusted bookmark instead of clicking an unfamiliar ad or link, even if it comes up at the top of search results.

• Check the web address. Look for misspellings, extra words, unusual domain names, or subtle changes to a familiar URL.

• Research unfamiliar sellers. Search the seller's name alongside terms such as “reviews,” “complaints,” or “scam.”

• Compare prices. A deal that seems dramatically cheaper than the same product everywhere else could indicate counterfeit goods or a fake store.

• Review return policies. Check shipping costs, delivery estimates, refund terms, and contact information before placing an order.

  
  

2. Protect your payment and personal information

Online retailers need some information to process an order, but you can still work to protect your personal information and payment details:

• Use a credit card when possible. Credit cards generally offer stronger protections against unauthorized charges than debit cards.

• Avoid unusual payment demands. If a seller insists on gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or person-to-person payment apps such as Zelle or Cash App, stop contact and look elsewhere. These methods make it very difficult to recover your money if you're scammed.

• Look for a secure connection. Check that the website uses HTTPS. Know that while this helps protect information in transit, it doesn't prove the seller is trustworthy.

• Share only what's necessary. Never provide your Social Security number or other highly sensitive information for an ordinary retail purchase.

• Keep receipts and order confirmations. Save confirmation emails, order numbers, and records of what you paid in case you need to dispute a charge or report a problem.

  
  

3. Secure your shopping accounts 

Your online shopping accounts often contain saved payment details, shipping addresses, and purchase histories. This stuff is very valuable to cybercriminals, so follow good cybersecurity habits: 

• Use strong, unique passwords. Create a password of at least 16 characters for each account. Each password should be a random string of letters, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse passwords and use a password manager to store your collection!  

• Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA). Enable MFA wherever it's available. It adds another layer of protection beyond your password. 

• Install software updates promptly. Keep your phone, computer, browser, and apps up to date. Updates often include security fixes that help protect against known vulnerabilities. You can turn on automatic updates! 

  
  

4. Watch out for scam emails, texts, and ads

Scams, especially phishing, use deceptive messages to trick you into revealing sensitive information, sending money, or clicking links that lead to malicious websites. Scammers may pose as retailers offering exclusive discounts, banks warning about suspicious purchases, or delivery companies reporting a problem with your package. Watch for warning signs like:  

• Unbelievable deals. An email or ad promising a high-demand product at a fraction of its normal price. 

• Urgent demands. Messages that threaten to cancel an order, lock an account, or withdraw an offer unless you act fast. 

• Unexpected links or attachments. Never click links or open attachments sent to you via suspicious messages, even if the sender's name looks familiar. 

• Requests for sensitive information. Messages asking you to provide passwords, payment details, or other personal information. 

• Report suspicious messages to your email or messaging provider. At work, follow your organization's process for reporting suspected phishing. 

  
  

5. Be skeptical of social media shopping deals 

Social media makes it easy to discover new products and small businesses, but scammers also use these platforms to promote fake stores and counterfeit goods. Before making a purchase of an item you see in a social media post or ad:

• Check the seller's profile. Look at how long the account has existed, its posting history, and whether its activity seems consistent. 

• Research the business independently. Find its official website and contact details instead of relying only on its social media page. 

• Read reviews critically. Look for detailed, credible feedback from multiple sources. Be cautious of repetitive, overly enthusiastic, or suspiciously similar reviews. 

• Be wary of AI-generated content. Artificial intelligence can make it easier to create convincing product images, promotional videos, and fake testimonials.  

• Check the final destination. Before entering payment information, make sure the website address matches the business you intended to visit. 

  
  

6. Don't fall for fake package delivery notifications

Holiday shopping often means more packages on the way, which also means more opportunities for scammers to impersonate shipping companies. You may receive a text or email claiming USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL couldn't deliver your package. The message may ask you to update your address, pay a redelivery fee, or click a link to resolve a shipping problem. These messages can lead to fake websites designed to steal your personal and financial information. You can protect yourself by:

• Don't click unexpected delivery links. Even if a message mentions a real shipping company, it could be faked.

• Check tracking information independently. Visit the retailer's website or the shipping company's official website (don't use the link) and enter your tracking number there.

• Verify unexpected fees. Legitimate shipping and customs charges can happen, but always verify the charge directly through the retailer or shipping company using contact details you find independently.

• Don't provide sensitive information through a message link. Be extremely cautious if a supposed delivery notification requests payment card details, account credentials, or other personal information.

If you receive a suspicious text, use your phone's reporting feature or forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

7. Be careful with resale sites and sold-out gifts

Trying to find a popular toy, game console, concert ticket, or collectible after it sells out? Resale marketplaces might help, but they also attract scammers. Automated shopping bots can buy up limited-stock products, allowing resellers to offer them at inflated prices. Other sellers advertise products they don't have or disappear after you pay. To reduce the risk:

• Use reputable marketplaces. Research the platform and seller before buying.

• Keep payments on the platform. Never pay a seller separately if doing so takes you outside the marketplace's protections.

• Check the item's details. Review photos, descriptions, condition, shipping terms, and refund policies.

• Always be cautious of extreme markups or suspicious bargains. Both can be warning signs.

• Avoid pressure tactics. Don't let messages claiming “pay now or lose it” rush you into a risky transaction.

  
  

8. Monitor bank and credit card accounts 

Even careful shoppers can encounter scams. Checking your accounts regularly can help you catch suspicious activity before it causes more trouble:

• Review transactions frequently. Look for unfamiliar purchases, duplicate charges, or small transactions you don't recognize. 

• Turn on transaction alerts. Use the bank’s official app to get phone notifications about purchases or account activity, which can help you spot problems quickly. 

• Report unauthorized charges promptly. Contact your bank or card issuer using the official app, website, or phone number on your card. 

• Freeze your credit. A security freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion can help prevent someone from opening new credit accounts in your name. Credit freezes are free and don't affect your credit score. You can temporarily lift a freeze when you need to apply for credit. 

A credit freeze won't prevent every issue, such as unauthorized purchases on existing accounts, so always monitor your financial activity.

9. Keep Records and Know What to Do if You're Scammed 

If a purchase goes wrong, act quickly to limit the damage. If you suspect you paid a fraudulent seller, clicked a suspicious link, or shared sensitive information:

• Contact your bank or payment provider. Report unauthorized transactions and ask whether you can dispute the payment or stop further charges. 

• Change compromised passwords. If you shared a password, change it immediately and update any other accounts where you reused it.  

• Enable MFA. If you haven't already, add this protection to affected accounts ASAP.  

• Monitor for identity theft. If you shared sensitive personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance. 

• Report the scam. In the United States, report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. You can also report suspected cybercrime to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. 

• Keep order confirmations, receipts, screenshots, and messages related to the transaction. These records may help you explain what happened when reporting the incident. 

Shop safe online all year long

Online safety habits will help protect you long after the decorations come down. Stay alert to gift yourself peace of mind. For more security tips, sign up for our email newsletter. 

FAQs about online shopping cybersecurity 

How can I tell if an online shopping website is legitimate? 

Check the web address carefully, and research the seller independently. Avoid unusually low prices or sellers who demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or other hard-to-trace methods.  

What is the safest way to pay when shopping online? 

A credit card is often a good choice because it generally offers protection against unauthorized charges and may let you dispute purchases that go wrong.  

Are social media shopping ads safe? 

No. Scammers can create ads and accounts that impersonate legitimate brands, promote counterfeit products, or direct shoppers to fraudulent websites.  

How can I avoid holiday package delivery scams? 

Don't click unexpected links in delivery texts or emails. Instead, check your order on the retailer's official website or enter your tracking number on the shipping company's legitimate site.  

What should I do if I think I bought something from a scam website? 

Contact your bank or payment provider promptly to report the transaction and ask about disputing the charge. Change any compromised passwords, monitor your accounts, save evidence of the transaction, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.