Cyber Shopping Scams Are on the Rise: Here’s How to Stay Safe This Holiday Season
As online shopping grows year after year, it’s fast becoming the easiest way to tackle your gift list. You don’t have to wrestle for parking, no crammed malls, and no painfully long checkout lines. The bad news? That convenience comes with a heightened risk. This season is also when cybercriminals tend to get far too enthusiastic.
During our interview with 69 News, Mario Guarriello, CEO of ACE Technology, offered a friendly reality check about all of those “holiday deals” floating around online. Some are great, but some are great at tricking you. The good news? A few smart habits can outsmart most of them. Stick with retailers you trust, avoid checking out on public Wi-Fi (no matter how tempting the free signal is), and turn on multi-factor authentication. Think of it as giving cybercriminals a locked door, then another, and maybe a security camera for good measure. Simple steps, big protection.
This isn’t just sage advice; it’s grounded in broader retail trends. According to Forrester, U.S. holiday retail sales are expected to reach around $1.05 trillion in 2025, with online sales alone rising nearly 7 percent year over year to roughly $270 billion. That means more shoppers and, unfortunately, more opportunities for fraud. More than ever before.
Whether you’re shopping for gifts, tracking deliveries, or chasing year-end deals, here are the essential steps every shopper should take to stay protected.
- Stick to Trusted Retailers
Only shop with well-known retailers or brands you recognize. Cybercriminals often create look-alike sites with massive “too good to be true” discounts to lure victims in. - Verify the Website Before Entering Payment Information
Look for:
• HTTPS in the URL
• Correct spelling of the brand
• No unusual pop-ups or redirects
If anything feels off, it probably is. - Never Shop on Public Wi-Fi
Public networks at coffee shops, airports, and malls allow attackers to intercept your data. Use your phone’s hotspot or a secure home network before entering any credit card information. - Use Strong, Unique Passwords & Enable Multi-Factor Authentication
Your accounts with Amazon, Target, Apple, etc. should all have different passwords. Whenever multi-factor authentication is available, turn it on. It is the number one way to prevent account takeover. - Be Cautious of “Limited Time Deal” Emails and Texts
Phishing scams spike more than 400% during Cyber Monday weekend alone. Avoid clicking links in:
• Promotions you didn’t sign up for
• Shipping notification texts that look suspicious
• Emails urging immediate action
Go directly to the retailer’s site instead. - Use Secure Payment Methods
Credit cards and digital wallets (e.g., Apple Pay) offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Avoid direct bank transfers or gift card payments. - Watch for Fake Order Confirmations
Attackers send fake “order confirmation” or “your payment failed” messages, hoping you’ll click a malicious link. Check your real shopping accounts through the company to verify orders. - Keep Your Devices Updated
Your phone, laptop, and browser should all have the latest security updates. This reduces vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit while you’re browsing or checking out. - Monitor Bank and Credit Card Activity
During Cyber Monday week, review statements daily and frequently check back during the remainder of the holiday season. Many fraudulent charges start with a small test amount; catching those early prevents larger losses. - Use a Password Manager to Reduce Risk
A password manager not only improves security but also autofills legitimate websites, making it harder for attackers to trick you into logging in to fake login pages. - If Something Feels Off, Stop
Retailers don’t run out of digital inventory. There is no reason to rush a purchase if something doesn’t look right. Take 30 seconds to verify before you buy.
The holiday season should be a time of celebration, not recovering from identity theft or fraudulent purchases. With just a few simple security steps, you can dramatically reduce your risk.
Safe Shopping Starts Here.
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