How to Shop Online Safely This Holiday Season

8 min read

Last updated November 10, 2026

To shop online safely this season, buy from trusted stores and pay with a credit card. Also turn on multifactor authentication. Type store addresses yourself instead of clicking links in texts or emails.

Scammers work hardest from Black Friday through Christmas. Americans reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

This guide gives you a simple safety routine for every order, plus what to do if something goes wrong.

Key Takeaways

Shop from established stores, and check unknown sellers before you pay.
Credit cards give stronger protection against bad charges than debit cards.
Turn on multifactor authentication for shopping and email accounts.
Never click delivery or order links in surprise texts or emails.
Report problems fast, since card disputes have time limits.

Jump to a section

Why holiday shopping is risky
Before you shop
How to check a website
Safest ways to pay
Common holiday scams
Delivery and package safety
If something goes wrong
Safety checklist
Frequently asked questions

Why Holiday Shopping Is Risky

More orders mean more chances for criminals. Shoppers feel rushed, deals look urgent and packages arrive every day. A fake message blends right in.

The FTC told Congress that people filed 3 million fraud reports in 2025, with $15.9 billion in reported losses. Imposter scams were the most common type.

$15.9 billionFraud losses consumers reported in 2025, per the Federal Trade Commission.

The good news is that a few habits block most scams. You do not need to be a tech expert.

Before You Shop

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) shares a short list of holiday shopping safety tips. Set these up once and they protect you all season.

Update your phone, computer and browser so you get the latest security fixes.
Use long, random, unique passwords for every store account.
Store them in a password manager so you do not reuse any.
Turn on multifactor authentication for email, shopping and payment accounts.
Set up purchase alerts on your credit card app.

A password manager makes strong passwords painless. Our guide on how to set up a password manager walks you through it.

Quick tip. Protect your email first. If a scammer gets into your inbox, they can reset passwords for every store you use.

How to Check a Website Before You Buy

Fake stores can look polished. CISA advises buying from established vendors and checking a business through web searches and reviews.

Check	Good sign	Warning sign
Web address	Exact store name you typed	Extra words, odd spelling or strange endings
Prices	Normal sale prices	Huge discounts on popular items
Contact details	Real address and phone number	Only a web form or chat
Reviews	Mixed reviews on outside sites	No reviews or only perfect ones
Payment options	Credit cards and known services	Only gift cards, wire or crypto
Return policy	Clear and easy to find	Missing or vague

Look out for fake praise too. Our guide on how to spot fake reviews shows common red flags.

Deals that seem too good often are. Learn how to spot fake Black Friday deals before the big sales start.

Have you ever received a fake delivery or order text?

Yes, many times
Once or twice
Never
Not sure

The Safest Ways to Pay

CISA recommends using a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit cards give stronger protection against unauthorized charges, and the money is not pulled straight from your bank.

Payment method	Safety level	Why
Credit card	High	Strong dispute rights and fraud protection
Digital wallet	High	Hides your real card number from the store
Debit card	Medium	Money leaves your bank right away
Gift card	Low	Almost impossible to get back if stolen
Wire transfer or crypto	Very low	Scammers love it because you cannot reverse it
Payment apps to strangers	Very low	Often treated like cash

Check your card and bank accounts often during the holidays. CISA suggests watching for any charges you do not recognize.

Good to know. No real store will ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers or crypto. That request alone is a scam sign.

Common Holiday Scams to Watch For

CISA warns that scammers increasingly copy real retailers. These tricks show up every season.

Fake delivery texts asking you to confirm your address or pay a small fee.
Lookalike stores with copied logos and huge discounts.
Social media ads for items that never arrive.
Fake order alerts claiming a big purchase on your account.
Gift card scams asking you to buy cards and share the numbers.
Fake charity appeals that play on holiday kindness.

Never click links in surprise messages. Open the store app or type the web address yourself to check your order.

Phishing emails are the starting point for many of these. See our guide on how to spot phishing emails, and read our roundup of holiday scams in 2026.

Delivery and Package Safety

Online orders end at your door, which brings its own risks. A few steps keep packages safe.

Track orders through the official store or carrier app.
Ask for delivery to a locker, store pickup or your workplace.
Require a signature for expensive items.
Bring packages inside as soon as you can.

Our guide on how to protect packages from porch pirates covers cameras, lockboxes and other smart options.

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Shopping on Public Wi-Fi

Coffee shop and airport Wi-Fi is convenient but less private. Avoid entering card details on public networks when you can.

Use your phone’s mobile data instead, or wait until you get home. If you must shop on public Wi-Fi, stick to sites and apps you already trust.

Gift Cards the Safe Way

Gift cards make easy presents, but scammers target them too. Buy cards from behind the counter or straight from the store website.

Check the package for tears or scratched-off codes.
Keep the receipt until the person uses the card.
Never give gift card numbers to someone who calls or texts you.

Our gift card buying tips explain more ways to avoid tampered cards.

Shopping With Chatbots and Apps

Many people now ask chatbots to find deals or compare products. These tools can save time, but they can also surface fake stores.

Treat any link from an assistant like a link from a stranger. Check the store name and web address before you pay. Our guide to smart chatbot shopping tips covers good ways to use these tools. Always compare the price on the real store site before you buy.

Help Kids and Older Relatives Stay Safe

Scammers often target teens on social media and older adults by phone or email. A short family talk can prevent a costly mistake.

Agree that nobody pays with gift cards for online orders.
Remind family members to call you before sending money to anyone new.
Help older relatives turn on multifactor authentication.
Set spending limits and purchase alerts on cards that kids use.

A quick check-in call during the holidays gives everyone a chance to ask about a strange message. Nobody should ever feel embarrassed to double check.

Returns and Refunds

Read the return policy before you buy, especially from a new store. Many holiday orders have special return windows that end in January. Mark that date on your calendar so you do not miss it.

Save order confirmations and tracking numbers in one email folder. Those records make returns, refunds and disputes much easier.

If Something Goes Wrong

Act fast if you spot a bad charge or an order never arrives. Speed gives you the best chance of getting money back.

Contact the seller first and keep a record of every message.
Call your card company to report the problem.
Send a written dispute to your card company.
Change passwords on any account a scammer may have seen.
Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a clear rule. Send a written billing error notice within 60 days after the charge appears on your statement. Keep copies of everything. Store them in one folder too.

Your Holiday Shopping Safety Checklist

Update devices and apps
Use unique passwords and a password manager
Turn on multifactor authentication
Shop from known stores
Pay with a credit card or digital wallet
Type web addresses yourself
Watch accounts for strange charges
Report problems within 60 days

Try this today. Turn on purchase alerts in your credit card app. You will know within seconds if someone uses your card.

Test Yourself

Which payment method does CISA recommend for online shopping?

Gift card
Debit card
Credit card

CISA says credit cards offer stronger protection against unauthorized charges than debit cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safer to use a credit card or debit card online?

A credit card is safer. It offers stronger protection against unauthorized charges, according to CISA.

How can I tell if a shopping website is fake?

Check the web address, look for real contact details and outside reviews, and avoid deals that seem too good.

What should I do if I get a delivery text with a link?

Do not click it. Open the carrier or store app directly to check your package.

How long do I have to dispute a credit card charge?

The CFPB says to send a written notice within 60 days after the charge appears on your statement.

Conclusion

Safe holiday shopping comes down to trusted stores, strong account security and smart payment choices. Pause before clicking any surprise link, and act fast if something looks wrong.

Take five minutes today to turn on multifactor authentication for your email and favorite store.

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Editor’s Note

This guide is accurate as of November 10, 2026. Safety tips come from CISA, fraud figures from the FTC and dispute rules from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This is general information, not legal or financial advice. Contact your card company about your own account.

Spot an error in this article? Please contact us at support@digieh.com or read our Corrections Policy.

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