Submitted by Amanda Falcone, Liberty Bank
(November 16, 2025) — It’s holiday shopping season! This year, as you browse the web for the perfect gift, be sure to practice online safety.
During the holidays, it’s easy to get distracted while online shopping. Fraudsters and hackers know this and use it to their advantage. That’s why you often see an uptick in phishing emails and text messages, scams, fake websites and stolen data around this time of year.
Don’t let a hacker ruin your holiday. Here are a few tips from Liberty Bank that will help you stay safe:
- Make sure the device you are using for online shopping has automatic software updates, and don’t forget to use antivirus software.
- Make sure all of your accounts – bank accounts, credit card accounts and store accounts – have strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication enabled.
- Buy items only from trusted sources. Before providing any personal information, be sure the company is a reputable, established vendor. The Better Business Bureau’s online directory and scam tracker can help you verify a business.
- Don’t connect to unsecure or public Wi-Fi, especially when you are online shopping or banking.
- Be on the alert for phishing emails and text messages, especially ones about package deliveries and online shopping.
- If possible, use a debit or credit card and be sure to check your credit and bank statements to ensure they are accurate. Laws are in place to limit your liability for fraudulent charges.
- Use your smartphone to pay at retail stores to avoid card skimmers.
- Consider using “tap to pay” whenever possible to reduce the risk of card skimmers.
What to Do If Something Happens
It doesn’t have to be the holidays. Phishing scams and instances of fraud can happen at any time of year. “It’s important to be diligent 365 days a year – not only during the holidays,” said Craig Bernier, SVP, Liberty Bank’s Chief Information Security Officer. “You always want to do everything you can to protect your money, your credit and your personal information.”
If you do become a victim of fraud, or if your accounts are hacked, Bernier says there are people who can help. If you receive an email that you think is a phishing scam, you can report it here. If you believe your personal or financial information has been stolen, report it immediately to your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission. For more information, click here.
For more information from Liberty Bank about fraud protection and prevention, click here.
