5 tips to avoid scams while online holiday shopping

What is the most wonderful time of year for some is also the busiest time of year for online scammers. 

Use these five tips to avoid getting tricked into turning over personal or financial information while shopping online during the holiday season.

  • Protect your computer: Always install the latest updates and run up-to-date antivirus software to help protect yourself online.

  • Strengthen your accounts: Use a strong, unique password for each of your online accounts. Visitgo.rowan.edu/password for tips. Also, whenever possible, enable extra security measures, such as two-factor authentication, to help protect your accounts.

  • Don’t shop on public WiFi: It may be tempting to get shopping done while connected to a public WiFi network — even one that requires a password — in a local coffee shop or restaurant, but you could expose your data while doing so. Only conduct online financial transactions on networks you know are secure. 

  • Use credit cards for online shopping: If possible, use credit cards for online transactions, rather than debit cards. Credit cards provide better protection in the event fraud does occur. 

  • Keep tabs on your financial statements: Regularly review your credit card statements to identify suspicious charges, especially after you used your cards to make many online purchases or used a new site.

If you have any questions, please contact the Technology Support Center at 856-256-4400, or submit a ticket in the Rowan Support Portal