The holiday season is often referred to as the “Season of Giving,” but with the rise of cybercrime, it’s also becoming the “Season of Giving Away Personal Information.” As we head into another busy shopping period, it’s critical to stay vigilant in protecting your sensitive data.

Cyber criminals know when individuals and organizations are most vulnerable. Whether it’s tax season, the start of the school year, or the holiday shopping rush, they target moments when personal and financial information is frequently exchanged online. With more businesses relying on ecommerce post-pandemic, this year presents an even greater risk of cyberattacks.

To help you avoid becoming a victim of holiday scams and cybercrime, we’ve compiled an updated list of recommendations to keep your personal information secure:

1. Protect your Accounts

Before making any online purchases or charitable donations, ensure device software is up to date and multifactor authentication is implemented and enabled to protect your account.  

2. Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks

Avoid making purchases or accessing financial information while on public Wi-Fi, as it’s easier for cybercriminals to intercept your data. Always use private, password-protected networks for online shopping and banking.

3. Stay Cautious with Links

Phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, often disguised as holiday promotions, charity donation requests, e-cards, or shipping notifications. Before clicking any links, hover over them to ensure the URL is legitimate, and only click on trusted sources.

4. Interact with Reputable Vendors

Make sure that you are interacting with reputable and established vendors when making online purchases. If you’re unsure if an advertisement is legitimate, type the URL of the retailer or other company into your web browser

5. Verify Secure Websites

Look for the locked padlock icon in your browser’s address bar, and ensure the website URL begins with “https://” to confirm a secure, encrypted connection before entering any sensitive information.

6. Create Unique Passwords

When signing up for new ecommerce accounts, use unique, strong, and challenging passwords that combine letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites to prevent hackers from accessing multiple accounts if one is compromised. A best practice is to utilize a password manager tool to generate and store your passwords.

7. Confirm Requests by Phone

If you receive unexpected emails or unsolicited texts asking for personal or financial information or order confirmations, always contact the retailer or organization directly by phone to verify the request’s legitimacy.

8. Use Secure Payment Methods

Credit cards typically offer better fraud protection than debit cards. For added security, consider using payment services like Apple Pay, PayPal, or other trusted gateways, which add an extra layer of protection to your transactions.

9. Monitor Your Statements Regularly

Instead of waiting for your monthly statements, proactively check your bank and payment card activity throughout the season. This way, you can quickly catch, report, and dispute any suspicious transactions.

10. Update your Software

Enabling automatic software updates can ensure the latest version is running and helps to ensure manufacturers are still supporting and providing patches for vulnerabilities. This applies to mobile devices, tablets, computers, as well as toys, electronics, and appliances.

As we embrace the holiday spirit, it’s important to prioritize safety—both in person and online. At Graham Company, we are committed to helping you stay secure, offering a range of cybersecurity and insurance resources to protect you this season.

We also encourage you to review tips from the National Cybersecurity Alliance and CISA for additional guidance.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Margaux Weinraub (mweinraub@grahamco.com) or your Service Team.

Wishing you a cyber safe and happy holiday season!