Staying safe while shopping online this holiday season

(WIFR) – The Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) reminds people to watch out for scams while shopping online, especially during the holidays.

DoIT says scammers seek to exploit shoppers during the holiday season since online activity increases. Shoppers should not only look out for scams around money, but also personal information.

The National Cyber Security Alliance recommends:

• Be aware of ads, account warnings and shipping notifications with links. If you receive a tempting offer, go directly to the company’s website to verify the information before clicking a link.
• Before making a purchase on a website, read reviews, look for a physical location and call customer service to ensure it’s a real company.
• Use a credit card for online purchases rather than a debit card since there are often more consumer protections in place for credit cards.
• Pay attention to the type of information being collected during your transaction, and never give more data than you feel comfortable giving. Never save your payment information to your profile.
• Check your bank accounts often for any signs of suspicious activity.

“During the holidays, it’s important to be extra vigilant online. A few simple precautions can make all the difference in keeping your personal information safe,” says Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology Statewide Chief Information Security Officer Jason Bowen. “We aim to help Illinois residents safeguard themselves from malicious hackers by providing best practices to ensure they stay cyber secure this holiday season and beyond.”

For more resources and to learn more, visit DoIT’s website.

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