Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – As Illinois residents gear up for holiday shopping, travel, and online celebrations, the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) alongside of The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are reminding everyone to stay alert to cyber scams that often lurk at the end of the year.
With cyber-crimes on the rise recently, from crypto currency scams to data breaches, it is crucial to be extra cautious this season, especially when a large number of donation sites have opened online donation options. It is essential that you know the tools necessary to make sure that your money is going where it’s supposed to go, and you are not opening yourself up to potential cyber-attacks as well.
This holiday season, DoIT highlights five key steps recommended by the National Cyber Security Alliance which are to Slow down before you click: Beware of ads encouraging users to click on links as well as account warnings and shipping notifications. If you receive notice or an enticing offer, do not click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify the offer is legitimate.
Make sure to always shop with trusted retailers that you are one hundred percent familiar with. Cyber thieves are fond of setting up fake e-commerce sites. So, prior to making a purchase, read reviews to hear what others say about the merchant. In addition, look for a physical location and any customer service information. It’s also a good idea to call the merchant to confirm that they are legitimate.
Always be sure to use safe payment methods such as a credit card. Using a credit card is often recommended over a debit card, as there are more consumer protections for credit cards if something goes awry. Also be extra sure to protect your accounts. Remain alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete your transaction. If the merchant is requesting more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. You only need to fill out required fields at checkout and should never save your payment information in your profile.
An important thing to also remember is to always monitor your financial and online activity. This means to be sure to continuously check your accounts for any unauthorized activity. Good recordkeeping goes hand-in-hand with managing your cybersecurity.
If you don’t know the link, the website, or the sender, it’s always best practice to avoid the situation to keep yourself safe.
