The holidays are fast approaching, and we’re about to enter the busiest shopping season of the year. You’re probably already gathering gift ideas and creating shopping lists as you anticipate the coming holiday season. Unfortunately, cybercriminals are anticipating the coming holiday season as well. While you’re planning your Amazon wish list, cyber crooks are planning how to steal your account information in any way they can. The last thing you need on your plate this year is a stolen credit card number or compromised bank account, so we are here to help you remain stress-free and cyber-savvy while shopping online.

Here are a few ways you can keep yourself safe from cyber crooks:

1. Don’t click links or open attachments in emails.

If the email is advertising an unbelievable deal or a once-in-a-lifetime discount or even a gift card or voucher, this is a “call to action” and is specifically designed by cybercriminals to get you to click. Be especially suspicious of free offers. A good practice is to close the email and go directly to the retailer’s website to verify the deal.

2. Don’t shop on public Wi-Fi.

It is convenient to log into the coffee shop Wi-Fi and knock a few items off the Christmas shopping list. Still, public Wi-Fi networks are notorious for being insecure and could leave you susceptible to eavesdropping or malware. If you want to shop on your mobile device, use mobile data or VPN.

3. Monitor your bank account.

A lot of theft and fraudulent orders go unnoticed. Set up alerts and monitoring for your bank account and credit cards so you can be notified if any suspicious activity occurs. Also, keep an eye out for any new bills, fund transfers, or credit inquiries you didn’t initiate.