December 8, 2025
Categories: Education & Security
By Dawn Kellogg
The holidays are a time of cheer and goodwill, but it’s also a time when scammers are especially active.
There’s no doubt that ordering gifts online and having items delivered to your home is easy, but don’t sacrifice security for convenience. Here are some tips to stay safe while purchasing gifts and having them delivered.
First and foremost, use caution when shopping online – Never click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Similarly, never give any personal information like your name, password, or bank account number. Use online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craiglist, TikTok Shop, etc. with caution. When paying for items, use traceable payment methods and be very wary of unrealistic deals. A good rule of thumb is: if it seems too good of a deal to be true, it probably is.
Always, and especially during the holidays, practice good cybersecurity hygiene. Change your passwords regularly and always make sure that websites are legitimate before entering any personal information. You can easily verify website addresses by manually typing them, rather than clicking a link.
It’s important to know who you are buying from. Check the website’s URL to make sure it’s secure and legitimate. The site you are purchasing from should have the prefix “https” in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t enter your information on that site. Check out ratings and reviews before you buy and avoid buying from sellers with unfavorable feedback ratings or no ratings at all.
When placing your order, get tracking numbers for the items you buy online so that you can make sure that they have been shipped and can follow the delivery process.
The holidays are also prime time for sharing, and many of us make donations to our favorite charities. Always verify the legitimacy of charities. Research them before donating – especially at this time of year when organizations may be soliciting end of year donations.
When making purchases or donations, use a credit card and check your statement regularly. If you see a suspicious transaction, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge. Never wire money.
When having packages delivered, have a plan for how you will receive them if they are delivered and you are not at home. Porch piracy is widespread and refers to stealing packages delivered to a recipient’s property before retrieval. This generally occurs in residential settings. Porch pirates are crafty. Some follow delivery trucks, observing where packages are left unattended. Others tailgate into gated communities or apartment complexes. They target homes during daytime hours when residents are at school or work, looking for packages in plain sight.
If you are able to have packages delivered to your place of business, that could be a safe option. Ask a neighbor or a relative to take your package indoors so it doesn’t sit outside on your doorstep for an extended period of time. You can also utilize pick up points like Amazon Locker and UPS Access points which allow you to collect packages in public locations. Alternatively, you can request a package to be held at a delivery facility, re-routed to another location, or delivered to a PO Box. Many stores will offer you the option to have the item delivered to the nearest branch of that store where you can collect at a time convenient for you.
Security cameras are also an efficient and inexpensive way to monitor deliveries and deter potential thieves. They can also be used to provide evidence if a theft occurs.
These tips will help keep your holiday worry free. Don’t let scammers rob you of your festive mood this holiday season!