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While some people have already finished their holiday shopping, others are still finishing off their list. Some will do so by shopping online, which according to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection, comes with the risk of being scammed. They have released a list of tips on how you can avoid being a victim. First, you should always keep your devices up to date, including your operating systems and be sure to run antivirus scans. Also be sure to Secure passwords, especially for email accounts. Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. For example, use a password and an authorization question. You should also keep Keep your device protected with a password. Avoid sensitive transactions over public Wi-Fi. Another big one is to watch out for too-good-to-be-true offers and fake e-commerce sites. Online holiday scams often feature in-demand electronics and fashion items. Crooks use fake websites, classifieds, social media, and text/email blasts to rip you off, trick you into downloading malware, or gather personal or banking info. You should also always make sure a website is legitimate before ordering. Check for the company’s name, physical location and contact information. Remember that identity thieves can create websites that mimic a legitimate company’s site, so don’t trust a site based solely on its appearance.
