LAS VEGAS – The Nevada Bankers Association (NBA) is urging Nevadans to stay vigilant and take proactive steps to protect themselves while shopping for the holiday season.
It can be a holiday season full of gifts and cheer, but scammers are lurking to ruin the holiday of hard-working Nevadans. Here are 10 tips to stay safe while enjoying shopping for friends and family.
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Be sure to purchase items from a known website or vendor.
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Look to make sure the website is secure with https:// before making a purchase.
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Use a bank credit or debit card with fraud protection. Banks in Nevada offer this protection, so call to verify.
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Try to use a credit card before a debit card for making online purchases. That avoids the possibility of cash being immediately stolen out of your account.
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Don’t respond to unsolicited phone calls, emails or text messages from your bank. Call the number on the back of your card to verify instead.
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Set alerts on your credit or debit card to warn you if your card is compromised.
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Avoid sending cash in the mail.
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Beware of gift cards on in-store racks. Make sure they are not tampered with before purchase.
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Avoid using public wi-fi when holiday shopping.
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If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If you suspect you’ve been scammed, NBA President and CEO Phyllis Gurgevich recommends reporting it to local law enforcement and the FBI.
Nevada Bankers Association is the united voice of Nevada’s diverse banking industry. Members are dedicated to providing the best financial products, services and resources to drive and support economic growth, job creation and prosperity throughout the state of Nevada. Visit www.nvbankers.org.
