How to be savvy about digital gift-giving
Online shopping is the epitome of convenience. You can compare prices and have packages delivered to your doorstep without ever having to set foot in a store.
Digital gift cards and e-transfers are an easy way to get something special for those you care about. With the holidays on the horizon, it’s important to remember there are always cyber criminals lurking in the background to take advantage of your online activity and purchases.
If your computer isn’t protected from potentially malicious software, your financial information and passwords are at risk from being stolen, along with other sensitive personal information. If you’re shopping online while using a wireless network, it needs to be encrypted so someone can’t collect your information. Always avoid financial transactions when using a public network, since you may not know if it’s compromised.
To ensure your shop securely and safely, apply these tips from Get Cyber Safe:
- Buy digital gifts from reputable stores.Buy from direct sources as opposed to third-party sellers. If you do purchase from a third-party, make sure it’s from somewhere you recognize and trust. Beware of social media marketplaces where it may be difficult to verify the validity of your item. If you don’t know the store, take a few more precautions. Conduct your own background check by looking at sites dedicated to reviewing e-stores. If the store isn’t reviewed or does not have favourable reviews, don’t order from their website. If you are buying a gift card, read the terms and conditions and make sure the store is legitimate. Always check the company’s shipping terms. Some merchant’s charge exorbitant shipping fees that can turn a bargain into an expensive mistake. Look to see if they provide tracking and insurance. Understand what carriers they use and be cautious if the item won’t be shipped within 10 days.
- Make sure the website is secure.Cyber criminals often create spoofed websites that mimic real retailers. These sites may also have a suspicious billing processes where they ask for sensitive information such as your Social Insurance Number or mother’s maiden name. Keep track of your credit card statements and immediately notify your financial institution of any suspicious activity on your account. Here are some ways to you can identify a spoofed site:
- deals too good to be true
- typos in the URL
- pixelated company logos and images
- unlocked or crossed out padlock icon (sometimes a caution symbol) at the front of the URL
- URL starting with http (a secure encrypted website should use https)
- a missing return policy
- Don’t get hooked by a phishing message.Digital gifts are often delivered electronically by email or text message, so be aware of phishing and learn how to spot the red flags. Phishing is one of the most common cyber threats. It’s an attempt to steal your personal and financial information by pretending to be a legitimate sender – such as someone you know or an online store. It is even more common during the holidays when cyber criminals may send messages claiming you received a digital gift from a loved one. Consider these warning signs:
- Is this someone you would receive a gift from? If you’re unsure, contact the person another way, such as by phone, and ask if it is legitimate.
- Sender’s email - cyber criminals can change the way their email address and name appear in your inbox. To verify the email address, hover the mouse over the sender’s email address and look closely for differences (such as using numbers instead of characters).
- If it’s a gift too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if it’s an all-inclusive trip, you are being “transferred” thousands of dollars or “receiving” a large amount of money in electronic gift cards it’s likely a scam.
- Beware of attachments and links.Remember that clicking, downloading, or sending money may result in identity theft or financial loss. When in doubt about the legitimacy of a digital gift, or if it can’t be verified, delete it. Never provide any personal information, open attachments or click links. If you think you may be a scam, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or call 1-888-495-8501.
Cyber threats are real. If you are the type that conducts most of your transactions online, it may make sense to tighten your online security by purchasing an additional layer of protection, such as the HUB Personal Cyber Insurance Policy. This policy offers protection for your finances and family members against the risk of ransomware, phishing, cyberbullying, cyberstalking and helps guard against identity theft. For as little as $100 a year, you can have $25,000 in coverage and 24/7 access to cyber professionals should you become a victim. It also covers family members living in your household and dark web monitoring - where criminals buy and sell personal information - at no extra cost.
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