Ep. 156 - Protect Yourself From Cyber-Criminal This Holiday Season

The holidays are prime time for scammers. Between flash sales, delivery updates, gift cards, and travel plans, cyber-criminals count on people moving fast and clicking first.

In this video, we break down simple, real-world steps you can take to protect your money, your accounts, and your identity while shopping online. ✅ Holiday cyber-safety checklist - Shop only on trusted sites: Type the web address yourself or use official apps—avoid random links in texts, emails, and ads. - Watch for fake deals: If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Check the seller, reviews, and return policy. - Secure payments: Use a credit card or secure payment service (better fraud protection).

Avoid debit cards for online purchases. - Enable 2-Factor Authentication (2FA): Turn it on for email, banking, and shopping accounts—especially your email (it’s the “master key”). - Use strong, unique passwords: A password manager helps you avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. - Beware of delivery scams: Fake “package delayed” or “address problem” messages are common. Track orders from the retailer’s official site/app. - Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases: If you must, use a trusted VPN—otherwise wait until you’re on your home network. - Don’t buy gift cards from strangers: And never share gift card codes with anyone claiming you “owe” money. - Keep devices updated: Updates patch security holes that scammers actively exploit. - Check statements regularly: Spot small “test charges” early—report anything suspicious immediately.

If you want more videos like this, subscribe and share this with a friend or family member—especially anyone doing a lot of online shopping.