We all get excited with gift ideas during the holiday season and want to surprise our loved ones with something special they always wanted. But with so many phishing schemes, cybersecurity threats, and fake ads you might feel a little overwhelmed with online holiday shopping.
Field and Main Bank is here to help you get everyone you want on your holiday shopping lists with secure payment products and helpful tips that will turn you into an online shopping pro in no time! Since 2015, Field and Main has been helping our customers throughout Henderson, Lexington, and Cynthiana, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana reach their financial goals and keep their money safe.
Now grab a plate of holiday cookies and dig into these online shopping tips that will make you feel safe and cozy with your purchases.
Make a Budget
This may sound obvious, but we are all guilty of shopping from the heart rather than being sensible. Start by listing all the people you would like to shop for, including how much per person, and look at the total. Creating a budget will allow you to look at all your accounts to see if you can afford to make more than the minimum payment on credit cards.
Remember, you pay more interest overtime by only making minimum monthly payments, meaning you will wind up over budget.
Know the Basics for Cybersecurity Practices
We all like the convenience of shopping online or trying a new brand, but once in a while you can stumble across a fake site that can put your information at risk. It’s important to know the basic tips to avoid cybersecurity threats. Here are three practices that can protect your information:
- Create strong and unique passwords – avoid using the same password for all your profiles and make it strong and unique
- Activate Multifactor Authentication – many online stores offer multifactor authentication to approve purchases, so make sure you activate this feature
- Keep software updated – make sure that you have the latest software updates on all devices as many times they will contain the latest cybersecurity features
Avoid Saving Payment Information on Websites
Fast check-outs are a hallmark of online shopping and we’ve all been guilty of saving our payment information, but that can be an easy way for scammers to get your information. While this is convenient, you can leave your sensitive information vulnerable if just one of your accounts is hacked or if you lose your device. Even worse, a trusted online store can be hacked causing all customers to be vulnerable.
It might be a hassle to take your card out to enter information with each purchase, but having your information stolen and account drained is even worse!
Check Your Accounts Regularly
We all have multiple credit cards or maybe even checking accounts and can forget which you used for that perfect gift. A simple and easy practice to verify your payment is correctly processed or if there are errors is to check your account balances regularly. You’ll be able to track not only which account you used but catch potential fraud and resolve it quickly. This can even help you stay on track with your holiday budget!
Don’t Believe Every Ad You See
As the old saying goes “if it’s too good to be true it probably is”, this also applies to online ads. Look for some obvious flags like high-end brands being sold for a deep discount from a vendor you may not know or incorrect spelling in the ad. If you’re really interested in a high-end brand, it’s better to check their website for either sales or if they have outlet stores.
Make Sure to Verify New Vendors
You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to check if a vendor has a legitimate online store. Follow these steps before you shop with a new vendor:
- Ensure the address starts with “https:/” and not “http:/” – this can be easily overlooked and that’ s why online scammers do this
- Check for an SSL certificate – look for a padlock next to the address and click to view information. Learn more about SSL certificates.
- Look for customer or product reviews – see if either current customers or publications left reviews and make sure not all of them are glowing. That could be a sign they were written by the vendor.
- Know where they are located – if a new vendor is legitimate, they should have a physical address for either the headquarters or warehouse
Be Vigilant Against Phishing Emails
We’ve all received these emails: there is a problem with your order, your payment information needs to be verified, or your delivery date needs to be changed. The problem is you didn’t order anything from them! Scammers have become more sophisticated over years, so it’s best to know what exactly a Phishing email is and how to identify one.
A more common scam is using a known brand’s email address but altering it slightly. Look for misspellings or typos like extra spaces in the email address. Amazon has been a prime target because of the popularity of the brand, so always check the website address carefully.
If you did place an order for a gift but are weary about an email you received about an issue, it’s best to contact the vendor directly to verify.
Enjoy Secure Online Holiday Shopping with Field and Main Credit, Debit, and Gift Cards
Whether you’re a new customer or already part of the Field and Main family and want to upgrade your debit or credit card, we’ve got the products that are right for you.
Download the CardValet™ app
Available for free to current Field and Main personal checking customers with our free MasterCard® debit card. Get piece of mind and protect your account with the Field and Main CardValet™ app. When you connect your debit card, you’ll enjoy:
- Transaction alerts
- Instantly lock cards if lost or stolen
- Control transactions by purchases to keep you on budget
- Block international usage
Download the CardValet™ app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for your mobile device and tablet to connect your accounts. Learn more about the CardValet™ app by watching our short video.
Not a current Field and Main personal checking customer? Apply today for a personal checking account and receive your free Field & Main’s MasterCard® debit card and connect to the CardValet™ app.
Field & Main Visa® Gift Cards
Have a loved one that is a little hard to shop for, or want to let someone find their own holiday joy? Then a Field & Main Visa® Gift Cards makes the perfect gift! Load up to $1,000 per card and register your gift card to receive a replacement if lost or stolen.
Contact us at 1-888-831-1500 or visit one of our local branches to purchase your gift cards.
Stay Safe Shopping Online this Holiday Season
Stay safe shopping online this holiday season and beyond. By staying vigilant, verifying vendors, and protecting your payment information, you can shop securely and focus on finding the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Field & Main offers the tools you need to shop with confidence, from secure debit and credit cards to the CardValet™ app for added protection. Explore our card options today and enjoy a safer, more rewarding holiday shopping season. For more online safety tips, check out 5 Cybersecurity Tips to Avoid Threats.
