Protect Yourself: Holiday Shopping and Scam Awareness

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and gift-giving. With the convenience of online shopping, finding the perfect present is only a click away. But with the increase in shopping activity comes an increase in scams and fraud.

At Coulson Technologies, we want to help you enjoy a safe, stress-free holiday by protecting your personal and financial information.

Here are 6 essential tips to keep in mind while shopping this season:

1. Be Careful Where You Share Information

When shopping online, only enter your personal or financial information on trusted websites.
✅ Look for “https://” at the beginning of the URL and a padlock icon in the browser bar—these indicate secure connections.
❌ Never share credit card details, Social Security numbers, or other sensitive information through email, text, or social media.

2. Watch Out for Phishing Scams

Phishing is one of the most common holiday scams. Criminals send emails or texts that appear to be from well-known retailers or shipping companies.
🔗 If you receive a suspicious message, don’t click on any links.
✔️ Instead, go directly to the company’s official website or call their customer service to confirm.

3. Research Retailers and Too-Good-To-Be-True Deals

Scammers set up fake websites and ads with prices that seem irresistible.
🛍️ Before you buy, take a moment to research the company.
📢 Check online reviews, ratings, and the retailer’s history.
Stick to reputable, well-established retailers—especially for larger purchases.

4. Use Secure Payment Methods

Not all payment methods offer the same protection.
💳 Credit cards and trusted digital wallets (like PayPal or Apple Pay) often include built-in fraud protection.
⚠️ Avoid wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards as payment—these are harder to trace and nearly impossible to recover if fraud occurs.

5. Keep Devices and Software Updated

Hackers often target outdated systems.
🔒 Make sure your devices—phones, tablets, and computers—are running the latest software updates.
🛡️ Keep your antivirus and anti-malware protection current to add an extra layer of security.

6. Trust Your Instincts

If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
🤔 Scammers rely on urgency and emotional pressure to push people into quick decisions.
Take your time, double-check the source, and if an offer feels suspicious—walk away.

🎄 Stay Safe and Enjoy the Holidays

The holiday season should be about joy, not stress. By following these tips, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from scams and shop with confidence.

At Coulson Technologies, we’re committed to keeping you secure year-round. From cyber protection to IT support, we’ve got your back—so you can focus on what really matters this holiday season.

Happy Holidays and safe shopping from all of us at Coulson Technologies!