Safe Online Holiday Shopping: Tips to Protect Your Information

  • November 17, 2025
  • CoVantage Credit Union
The holiday season is one of the busiest times for online shopping—and unfortunately, for cybercriminals too. With more people turning to e-commerce for convenience, it’s essential to stay vigilant and protect your personal and financial information. Here are some practical tips to ensure your online shopping experience is safe and secure.
1. How to Determine if a Website is Safe to Shop On
Before entering your payment details, check for these signs:
  • Look for HTTPS: A secure website will have “https://” at the beginning of its URL and a padlock icon in the address bar. This means the site uses encryption to protect your data.
  • Verify the Domain Name: Scammers often create fake sites with URLs that look similar to legitimate ones. Double-check spelling and avoid clicking on suspicious links from emails or ads.
  • Check for Contact Information: Legitimate businesses provide clear contact details, including a physical address and customer service phone number.
  • Read Reviews: Search for customer feedback on trusted platforms. If a site has little to no presence outside its own pages, proceed with caution.
  • Avoid Pop-Up Payment Pages: Secure sites process payments through their own checkout system, not through random pop-ups.
2. Ways to Keep Your Card Information Safe While Shopping Online
Even on trusted sites, take extra steps to protect your payment details:
  • Use a Credit Card or Digital Wallet: Credit cards often offer better fraud protection than debit cards. Digital wallets provide an extra layer of security by keeping your card details encrypted and reducing the need to share your actual card number with merchants.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Many retailers and banks offer 2FA for account logins. This makes it harder for hackers to access your account.
  • Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Never enter payment details while connected to public Wi-Fi. If necessary, use a VPN for secure browsing.
  • Monitor Your Statements: Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
3. Additional Tips for a Safe Holiday Shopping Experience
  • Update Your Devices: Keep your phone, computer, and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
  • Use Strong Passwords: Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. Consider a password manager for convenience and security.
  • Be Cautious with Emails and Links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails that offer amazing deals; instead, go directly to the retailer’s website.
  • Beware of Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals: If a deal seems unrealistically cheap, it might be a scam.

4. CoVantage Credit Union’s Commitment to Your Security

At CoVantage Credit Union, we take fraud prevention seriously. Our systems include advanced fraud protection measures designed to safeguard your accounts and personal information. From transaction monitoring to secure authentication, we work hard to keep your money safe.

However, fraud prevention is a team effort. During the holiday season—when online shopping spikes—your vigilance is just as important as our security systems. By following the tips above and staying alert, you can help us protect your accounts and enjoy a worry-free shopping experience.

Bottom Line: A little caution goes a long way. By shopping on secure websites, taking steps to protect your payment information, and partnering with CoVantage Credit Union’s fraud protection systems, you can enjoy the holiday season without falling victim to fraud.