Shop Online Safely This Holiday Season

Posted on October 20, 2026

In 2024, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported that Americans lost more than $785 million to non-payment and non-delivery scams.

Increased spending over the holiday season unfortunately means increased fraud. But there are simple steps you can take to avoid it—and make sure that money goes to your loved ones and not into a scammer’s pockets.

Recognize the Warning Signs

Avoid making a purchase (or at least do a lot more research) if you spot any of these red flags:

Products and services advertised at incredibly low prices—significantly lower than competitors.
Sellers that only accept payments by wire transfer, money orders, gift cards, or peer-to-peer payment services like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle.
Vague or non-existent contact details or information about returns, exchanges, or privacy policies.
Websites with poor spelling or grammar.

Practice Safe Shopping

Only make purchases from companies you trust. If you’re buying from a business for the first time, do your research—check reviews or ratings, search for complaints, and verify contact information on sites to ensure they are legitimate.

Be wary about clicking links, especially unsolicited ones you receive via text, social media, or email.
If you receive a message about updating your account information or password, do not assume it’s safe. Contact the company directly on a verified number, rather than in the message you’ve received, to confirm.
Only enter your payment information on sites with a URL that includes “https,” as those sites are more secure.
Avoid using the same password for every account.
Be wary of sellers who claim to be US residents but say they are currently out of the country.
Monitor the shipping process and obtain tracking numbers.

Your Payment Method Matters

If you can check out as a guest, consider doing so. That way, if the site’s security is breached, your information won’t be among the customer information saved. Also make sure to:

Never wire money directly to a seller. It’s unlikely you will receive a refund if there is a dispute.
Only use peer-to-peer payments services with people you know, trust, and have met in person.
Be wary of sellers who only accept gift cards or pre-paid debit cards. If they never send what you ordered, you may be unable to be refunded.

Use Card Controls

Many banks offer credit and debit cards with controls that help you keep tabs on your spending and take immediate action if you suspect fraud on your account.

The United Community Mastercard^® debit card, for example, comes with complimentary access to Card Controls, which allows you to:

Set up alerts so you get a message every time your card is used
Set spending limits by dollar amount, store, or location
Turn your card off and on with the touch of a button

We’re always here to help you keep your financial information safe. Stop by your local banking center or schedule an appointment online to learn more about cybersecurity or talk through your options.

Information and statistics sourced from the American Banker’s Association.