Attention, online shoppers!
Identity thieves are banking on you, and your credit, to be easy prey. Cyber Monday is prime time for identity thieves to get in on the online action. Knowing what to watch for, where the potential risks are and how to take charge of your credit can help keep your identity from being hacked and your credit scores intact.
Navigate Cyber Monday without inviting identity thieves to crash your credit scores:
- Choose credit over debit, especially for online shopping. If your information is stolen while using a debit card, your cash can be gone in an instant.
- Use the latest version of your browser to shop, and check that your antivirus software is up to date.
- Only shop trusted websites you have used safely before and DON’T click on links in unsolicited emails.
- Don’t shop using public Wi-Fi. Your smartphone or tablet is just as vulnerable to attack as your PC.
- Check your credit scores before you buy online – and track them for changes throughout the holidays.
- Monitor your credit reports for suspicious changes or fraud during this peak season for identity theft.
Gone are the days when all identity thieves wanted was our credit card information.
Today’s criminals are after a much bigger piece of the pie – and they’re getting it. With attacks becoming more sophisticated and prevalent, early detection is key. Make it a point to regularly check your credit scores and reports from TransUnion®, Equifax® and Experian® and monitor your accounts for changes.
