Online Holiday Shopping: 7 Tips to Stay Safe

As the holidays draw near, we’re all counting down the days and starting to think about gift-giving, too. If you’re like most holiday shoppers, you’re planning to purchase at least a few gifts online. It’s easy, it’s quick, it makes bargain hunting much faster and of course, you can do it from your bed, in your pajamas.  

But there’s a flip side to online shopping, of course: Scammers are out in force, and if you don’t know how to protect your privacy while shopping online in 2025, then you’ll get taken advantage of.  

Everyone needs a little holiday shopping advice, but that’s especially true when it comes to protecting yourself and your privacy online. Whether it’s finding trustworthy website or evaluating those bargain emails that are always in your inbox, it’s important to know how to spot scams before they get you. Cybercriminals are more sophisticated than ever and are using clever tricks to easily fool consumers into visiting fake stores or opening phishing emails.   

Don’t let your holiday be ruined by identity theft! Read on for seven holiday shopping tips to help you stay secure online this season. And to get help protecting all the important things in your life, connect with a Farm Bureau agent. 

Tip 1: Shop Only With Reputable Companies 

It’s safest to stick with companies you know and trust. Of course, new companies are born each day, and you might not have heard of every company. So, if you’ve found a bargain and you’re thinking of hitting that “buy” button, pause for a moment. 

Take a look to see that they take security seriously. For example, make sure their website URL begins with “https” rather than “http.” The extra “s” indicates an added level of security. 

And be sure that their website looks legitimate — you can tell an awful lot from little things like spelling and grammar! If in doubt, ask a friend or family member for their input. 

Tip 2: Don’t Shop on Public Wi-Fi

It can be fun to head to your local coffeeshop and poke around for gifts on your phone, or to spend your time waiting for a delayed flight catching up on your shopping at the airport. But public network connections are risky for a few reasons. 

It’s hard to be sure others aren’t scanning the network’s activity and collecting users’ personal or financial data. Even if it seems like trustworthy public wi-fi, it’s still best to avoid it and to always assume public wi-fi is insecure. It’s best to wait until you get home.

Tip 3: Avoid Offers That Are “Too Good to Be True” 

You know the old saying: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut. Don’t shop at online stores that give you a bad feeling or appear shady. If you feel they’re asking for too much personal information, end the transaction and leave the site before you compromise your shopping safety. 

You might be bummed to leave behind what seems like a great deal, but the money and time you could lose if someone gets your credit card information will cancel out the benefits of that sale.  

Tip 4: Check Your Financial Statements Regularly 

During the holiday season, go online and regularly check your credit card and bank account. Don’t wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Look for fraudulent charges and check other payment sites you use, too, like PayPal or Venmo.  

Furthermore, this might be surprising, but it’s true: You should only buy online with a credit card. If your debit card is compromised, scammers might have direct access to your bank funds, but a credit card has an added layer of protection and often credit card companies can quickly reverse the charges. 

If you see something wrong, address the matter quickly. Likely, you have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems. 

Tip 5: Don’t Give Your Social Security Number to a Retailer 

A shopping website will never, ever need your Social Security number. If you’re asked to provide that type of personal detail, end the transaction immediately and find a new site for your holiday buys.  

And for that matter, never give your SSN to anyone who calls you and asks for it either — no government official will need it in an unsolicited call. Offer to hang up and call them back at their official number, and they’ll almost certainly deny it. That’s a scam! 

Tip 6: Be Wary of Holiday Shopping Scam Emails 

Your inbox is likely filled with holiday consumer cravings and hot savings. Before clicking on emails from unknown senders, look for signs to indicate they’re valid. Check the email address and look for misspellings and other indicators. 

Don’t ever click on a link in an email without being sure that it’s going to a website that you trust. It’s better to play it safe and avoid clicking on emails that could infect your computer with viruses and malware. 

Tip 7: Don’t Let Shopping Sites Save Your Information 

It can feel time-consuming to re-enter your information each time you shop and to retrieve your wallet for your credit card every time you buy online. However, the more a website knows about you, the more information you risk losing in a data breach. 

Furthermore, unless you thoroughly read the site’s privacy policy, you don’t know how much of your information is being shared with or sold to third parties. It’s best to just keep your information private. 

Stay Safe Online 

In today’s world, the chance of having your personal identification stolen or exposed to cyber-criminals is increasing. Farm Bureau can help. Consider adding ID Theft Protection to your homeowners insurance for an added layer of security.