The holiday season is a time of great joy, celebration, and unfortunately, a greater risk of fraud. As we dive into holiday festivities and tackle our shopping lists, it’s crucial to stay scam-smart and safeguard your finances from potential threats. Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy the festive season without falling victim to scams or breaking the bank.
At Heritage Valley, we believe awareness is your best weapon against fraud. In addition to our Security Center, here are some additional tips and reminders to ensure your celebrations remain blissfully fraud-free.
Choose Credit Over Debit
When it comes to debit vs. credit, there are pros and cons to each. But when it comes to holiday shopping online or locally, credit cards can offer better fraud protection. According to bankrate.com, funds can be removed from your bank account directly and quickly when using a debit card, making the process of disputing and getting your money back much more time-consuming.
If shopping at a brick and mortar store and you use your debit card and have the option to use it as debit or credit, choose credit. While you still have protections when using it as debit, the possibility of your card being re-created and used at an ATM increases when the thieves also have your PIN. If they use it as debit, they can also drain your account and it may take some time to get the money back.
That’s why, according to nerdwallet.com, if you typically use a debit card for online or in person purchases, you may want to reconsider. If your card information is hacked and purchases are made without your permission, you’ll quickly find out that debit and credit cards are treated quite differently. Click here to read more shopping season cybersecurity tips >
“With credit card fraud, the card issuer’s money is at stake. With debit card fraud, your money has been stolen.” –NerdWallet
Put Holiday Peace of Mind on Your Card
Heritage Valley credit cards not only have great rates and allow you to earn reward points for every qualifying purchase, but they also come with peace of mind with EMV chips and real-time transaction monitoring. With Visa Secure, purchasing online is as fast and secure as buying in a store. And with Visa’s Zero Liability policy, you’re covered if your card is ever lost, stolen or fraudulently used.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW VISA HAS YOU COVERED >
Enjoy real-time rewards this holiday season and feel confident you’ll only pay for the purchases you authorize. Plus, only credit cards handled responsibly allow you to build your credit and improve your credit score.
APPLY FOR THE HERITAGE VALLEY VISA PLATINUM CARD >
Shop Through Secure Websites Only
From spotting shady websites to turning down deals that are too good to be true, it’s important to stay vigilant during any online shopping session. But don’t worry, it’s actually easy to avoid these kinds of scams. Number one, you should only shop on popular or familiar websites. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray or even infect your device with malware. A good deal just isn’t worth the risk when we all know Amazon.com carries everything under the sun. Likewise, almost every major retail outlet, from Target to Best Buy to Home Depot, has an online store.
Also, always look for the https lock. If you’re unsure if the site you’re buying from is legit, look at your browser’s address bar. Never buy anything online from a site that doesn’t display a lock icon near the URL. The lock icon indicates that the site has SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed. This means your data transfers are more secure than they on an unencrypted site.
There are also ways to research the online vendor. Look for contact information and be wary if you can’t find any. Yelp and Google are packed with retailer reviews. Put companies through the wringer before you plunk down your credit card number. There’s a reason that non-delivery/non-payment is the most common cybercrime complaint: it hurts when that happens, financially and emotionally.
Don’t store your payment card details in the websites or on your browser. Yes, it’s a bit annoying to type it in every time you make a purchase, but it’s more secure to do so.
Set Your Holiday Budget Before You Shop
We’ve all done it, gotten carried away with holiday shopping because we keep finding great presents for our friends and family. It’s important to set a budget and stick to it. And if money is tight, be open to making changes to your holiday plans. All Heritage Valley, credit cards have the ability to control your spending by establishing specific limits for your purchases. You can sign up for purchase alerts that help you easily track account spending and quickly spot fraudulent purchases.
Avoid Phone Scams
Scammers know that fraud picks up around the holidays and they use that to their advantage by posing as bank representatives pretending to call or text you about potential fraudulent purchases on your account. One frequently used scam is when fraudsters call from an unfamiliar number and state that your credit card may have been compromised; even providing the last four digits on the card. It’s a scary situation, and one that’s all too familiar but. Just remember, never give out personal information no matter how legitimate the call may seem. Take control by hanging up and calling us directly via a secure connection.
Happy Safe Holidays from Heritage Valley
Remember, a proactive and vigilant approach is key to ensuring a fraud-free season of celebration. At Heritage Valley, we believe that by incorporating these credit card safety measures into your holiday shopping routine, you can enjoy a festive season with peace of mind. Stay scam-smart by utilizing your credit card to your advantage, double checking the websites you’re shopping on for security, staying on top of your budget, and keeping an ear out for phone scammers.
We’re here to support you and make your holiday shopping experience secure and joyful. Be sure to reach out to our Call Center or your local branch if you need any assistance this holiday seaso or in
