Safer Shopping Guide

Don't Let Your Holiday Cheer Turn Into Sadness

According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), in their Global State of Scams Report 2024, global financial losses were approximately $1.03 trillion. This includes many scams, such as investment fraud, shopping, and identity theft. Knowing these threats is the first step to avoiding them.

Identifying Red Flags

Before you click “Buy Now,” here are some tips to spot a potential scam:

• Inspect URLs carefully: Legitimate websites use HTTPS (not just HTTP) and avoid strange domain names.
• Be skeptical of deep discounts: If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is.
• Verify seller legitimacy: Check for reviews, return policies, and contact details. Fake sites often lack these.
• Watch for grammatical errors: Poorly written emails or websites are a hallmark of scammers.
• Avoid urgent payment demands: Scammers create urgency to pressure you into making mistakes.
• Stay alert and question anything that feels off.

Resources to Help You Stay Safe

• Website verification tools: Ensure you shop on secure, legitimate sites.
• Password managers: Safeguard your accounts with strong, unique passwords.
• Phishing detection tips: Learn to identify and avoid fraudulent emails.

What to Do If You Become a Victim

Falling victim to a scam can be stressful, but acting quickly can minimize damage. Here’s what to do:

• Secure your accounts: Change passwords for any compromised accounts immediately.
• Contact your bank or credit card provider: Report unauthorized charges and request a freeze or reversal.
• Report the scam: Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and local authorities.
• Monitor your financial statements: Look for further suspicious activity.
• Consider monitoring services: Look for credit and identity monitoring services that may help you detect further issues.

Website Verification Tools

Tool Name	Website	Description
Google Safe Browsing	Google Safe Browsing	Check if a website is flagged as unsafe or compromised by Google's Safe Browsing service.
SSL Checker	SSL Checker	Verify if a website has a valid SSL certificate to ensure secure connections.
VirusTotal	VirusTotal	Scan URLs to detect malicious or phishing activity across multiple security vendors.
PhishTank	PhishTank	Check if a website is listed in a database of known phishing sites.
WHOIS Lookup by ICANN	WHOIS Lookup by ICANN	Find information about the ownership and registration of a domain to verify legitimacy.
Web of Trust (WOT)	Web of Trust (WOT)	Get community-based ratings for website trustworthiness and security.
Scamadviser	Scamadviser	Check if a website is trustworthy based on various risk indicators.
Browser Security Indicators	N/A (In-browser feature)	Look for HTTPS and padlock icons in your browser's address bar to ensure secure connections.
Norton Safe Web	Norton Safe Web	Check a website's safety rating and associated risks using Norton’s database.
CheckPhish.ai	CheckPhish.ai	Detect phishing attempts using advanced AI-based analysis for suspicious URLs.