Cyber Monday: How to Protect Your Identity Online

‘Tis the season for turkey, stuffing, football, family get-togethers and, of course, holiday shopping. In 2024, shoppers spent a whopping $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, over 10% more than they had in 2023 — and double what they spent online in 2017. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day, shoppers spent about $11.3 million per minute. Meanwhile, foot traffic to brick-and-mortar stores was down by 8.2% overall.  

Analysts also found that use of technological innovations like digital wallets; AI chatbots; and buy now, pay later options are on the rise, especially as more customers use their phones to shop online. Sixty-nine percent of 2024’s Black Friday sales came from mobile devices. 

These stats from Black Friday and its long-weekend sibling Cyber Monday suggest that people are pretty comfortable shopping online. But with that comfort comes a risk: Black Friday scams. 

Your personal and financial information are at a higher risk when you’re shopping online, especially if you’re scrambling to get the best sale on that item you want before they run out. Knowing how to prevent credit card theft online — or how to prevent information theft before it happens — is paramount.  

Thankfully, you can be savvy and avoid scams with a little forethought. Read on for tips to help keep your identity safe this holiday season and prevent theft. And remember, if you want to speak to a professional about protecting what’s important in your life, you can reach out to Farm Bureau anytime. 

Tip 1: Use Two-Factor Authentication 

It can be a little annoying, but adding an extra layer of security to your accounts is a good idea. Turning on two-factor authentication (when available), sometimes called “2FA,” is a good idea. It can help prevent identity theft for your online accounts — email, mobile accounts, social media, credit card, banking and more. With 2FA, you enter your password, but then the system goes one step further, requiring additional information such as a code sent to your phone or an app. This is useful because if someone gets your password, your account can’t be accessed without the second piece of information. 

Tip 2: Use Only Trusted Networks 

Free Wi-Fi available in public places like coffee shops, restaurants and airports can offer you faster access to the next online deal. But is it worth the risk? Free Wi-Fi networks are also often unsecured and make it easier for hackers to access devices connected to them. It’s better to avoid using them, or to use extra security measures such as a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you need to connect. Otherwise, wait until you’re at home or on a secure network. 

Tip 3: Learn How to Keep Your Personal Information Safe Online 

Pick a Good Password 

Creating a password for an online account can be a chore. Sometimes you just end up using the same old password you’ve always used. Good enough, right? 

Not so fast. Weak passwords — easily guessable phrases or repeated passwords across accounts — can be a big problem. Generally, it’s a good idea to choose a password that follows these rules: 

• Make sure your password isatleast 12 characters long.
• It shouldcontaina combination of upper and lowercase letters,numbersand symbols.
• Ensure thatit’sfreeof personal information like your nameandbirthdate,yourfamily member’s nameandbirthdate,anniversaries,name of a petand so on.It’seasy for hackers to gain access to that information, and from thereit’ssimple to guess your password.

With so many accounts, it can be tempting to use the same passwords for all accounts or even select the “remember me” option, but these habits can present opportunities to online hackers. 

Instead, a great option is to use a password vault software program such as 1Password or Dashlane, which will help you generate a unique password for every account, then save it to one spot and fill it in automatically so you don’t have to remember it yourself. (Bonus: it can also remember your ID numbers and other vital info, too!) 

Use Trusted Websites 

Before making an online purchase, take a closer look at the website address. URLs that start with “https://” are secured by an internet security protocol, which means they’re safe to use. If you don’t see an “s,” beware: The website may not be secure. 

Furthermore, make sure the website is spelled correctly, as hackers may create sites that appear real (“Wamlart.com” instead of “Walmart.com”) to try to steal your information.  

It’s also important to verify links before clicking on them, particularly if they came to you in an email. Hover over links to be sure it’s taking you the correct website or retailer. 

Pay Attention to Alerts 

Check to see if your bank or credit card company offers transaction monitoring alerts. With transaction monitoring, you can get notifications of when your card has been used — which gives you the ability to dispute fraudulent charges more quickly.  

Staying a Step Ahead

When it comes to protecting your identity against cyber criminals, you can’t be too careful. Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S. Talk to Farm Bureau about adding our Identity Services and Fraud Expense Coverage to your Farm Bureau homeowners, farm or ranch, and other property or liability insurance policy.