The holiday shopping season is back, and with it comes the annual rush of deals, discounts and “can’t-miss” offers. It’s a fun time—budgets loosen, generosity expands, and we reconnect with the people we care about.
But as the sales heat up, so do the scams. Cybercriminals know you’re busy, distracted and eager to snag the perfect gifts, and they are counting on that.

Researchers are already spotting fake promotions for in-demand toys, “free” gift cards and too-good-to-be-true electronics deals. With a little planning, you can enjoy the savings without stumbling into the traps.

The real Black Friday threat isn’t high prices – it’s hackers

Retailers launch deals earlier every year, especially with many closing on Thanksgiving Day. That means the window for savings is wider—but so is the window for theft. Hackers aren’t shopping for iPads; they’re hunting your wallet and personally identifiable information (PII).

Holiday risks are everywhere

One of the biggest threats is also one of the most convenient: “free” public Wi-Fi.
You can’t always tell if that network name belongs to the coffee shop or a criminal across the room. A single misplaced letter in a network name is often all it takes to trick people into joining a malicious hotspot.

Once connected, scammers can spy on your activity—bank logins, credit card numbers, passwords, and more.

Use a virtual private network (VPN) anytime you’re on public Wi-Fi. An encrypted VPN connection—like the one included with an IDShield membership—helps block hackers from snooping.

Keep in mind that those “Lowest Price!” banners flooding your screen aren’t always there to help you. Sometimes they’re a lure to get you to click on a malicious link.
The best defense is preparation. Know exactly what you're shopping for—and what it normally costs. That’s the only reliable way to recognize a real bargain from a scam.

Watch out for fly-by-night Cyber Monday websites

Missed the Black Friday rush? Cyber Monday will deliver hundreds of new deals—and hundreds of questionable websites too. Many of them use “BlackFriday” in the URL to seem legitimate, even though the business might be overseas or totally anonymous.

Before you buy:

✅ Check shipping details

If the site says, “Orders processed within 24 hours,” remember—processing isn’t shipping. Items shipped from overseas could arrive weeks late or never arrive at all.

✅ Know the law, but don’t rely on it

Federal rules require retailers to notify you if shipping takes over 30 days, but shady sellers routinely ignore that.

✅ Vet unfamiliar websites

Read reviews carefully. Look for patterns of complaints about slow shipping, poor product quality, or missing orders. One or two bad reviews are normal, but dozens are a warning.

✅ Slow down

The holiday rush can cloud your judgment. Take a breath before you hit “Buy Now.” A calm shopper is a safe shopper.

Protect your inbox and credit card and keep an eye open in stores

Retailers love asking for your email address at checkout. You don’t have to give it, and in most cases, it isn’t needed. Sharing it only guarantees one thing: more marketing emails and more spam.

Follow these steps to limit your vulnerability when shopping online and in person:

• Request a paper receipt and snap a photo of it.
• Create a shopping-only email account so you can toss it later if it gets overwhelmed.

And while you’re at the register, be aware of what’s happening around you. The person behind you casually taking photos could capture your credit card number, PIN, or shared personal information.

IDShield has your back

No one can eliminate every risk—not online and not during the busiest shopping season of the year. But you don’t have to navigate it alone.

IDShield monitors your credit and financial data 24/7, helping you stay a step ahead of identity thieves when threats are at their highest. If your identity does get stolen, our licensed private investigators will work to restore your identity to its pre-theft status. Shop with confidence when you take IDShield with you!

Reach out to an independent associate to learn more about the benefits of an IDShield Membership.

Stay smart. Stay alert. And enjoy a safer, more secure holiday season.

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