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Don’t Let Scammers Crash Your Holiday Shopping
Posted November 11, 2026
by ITS Information Security
As the holiday shopping season ramps up, scammers are using fake online stores, AI-generated product ads and reviews, and phony package delivery texts to target shoppers. The National Cybersecurity Alliance’s latest article offers nine tips to help students, faculty, and staff shop safely. It covers how to spot fake retailers and social media deals, why a credit card is safer than gift cards or payment apps like Zelle and Cash App, how to secure shopping accounts with strong passwords and multifactor authentication, and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed.
- Stick to trusted retailers
- Protect your payment and personal information
- Secure your shopping accounts
- Watch out for scam emails, texts, and ads
- Be skeptical of social media shopping deals
- Don't fall for fake package delivery notifications
- Be careful with resale sites and sold-out gifts
- Monitor bank and credit card accounts
- Keep Records and Know What to Do if You're Scammed
Read the Full Article: Safe Online Holiday Shopping: 9 Tips to Avoid Scams in 2026 - National Cybersecurity Alliance
