5 Tips to Avoid Fraud and Scams while Holiday Shopping
The holiday season is upon us! As we gear up for the festivities, shopping for gifts and snagging those incredible deals, it's important to protect your money. Check out these tips to help you avoid holiday shopping scams and fraud.
- Shop from reputable sources
Stick to reputable online retailers and websites when making your purchases. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true from unknown sources. Always check the website URL for misspellings and look for secure checkouts when finalizing your purchase.
- Don’t use the same passwords for every account
Be sure to create strong, complex passwords for your online accounts and avoid using the same password for multiple sites. Check out as guest when possible and avoid storing your payment information.
- Be smart where you shop
Shopping in-store is safest in regard to scams and fraud protection. For best practices, save your receipt until the gift has been received. If buying from an individual online, be sure to meet in a safe place for delivery and try to avoid paying any amount upfront. Inspect the item before sending money or providing cash.
- Monitor your accounts using alerts in the mobile app
Did you know you can set up account alerts within the Peoples Bank mobile app? This is a helpful tool to keep track of your spending and ensure there are no surprise charges. For assistance, check out our walkthrough videos here.
- Use a Peoples Bank debit card
Using a Peoples Bank Debit Mastercard® will ensure an extra layer of security and fraud protection through contactless and chip technology. You can get a Peoples Bank Debit Mastercard® with any Peoples Bank checking account. Learn more
As always, we’re here to help. If you believe you’ve fallen victim to online fraud, then please contact us at 800.374.6123 or visit your nearest branch.
