Holiday shoppers heading to the stores or hitting the internet are urged to keep some safety precautions in mind. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security warns thieves can easily gain access to bank account and personal information from online shoppers. You can read here how your antivirus could also be spying on you and your online activity.
They warn orders should only be placed from a secure internet connection through a reputable online merchant. Also make sure the operating system, antivirus software and web browser are up to date.
Personal information like credit card numbers and billing addresses should be safeguarded by using a password combination of upper and lower-case letters, numbers and special characters.
Some banks offer virtual credit cards, which can only be used once and expire in 24 hours. Experts say they should be used if possible for online transactions.
Also beware of deals that sound too good to be true, as they probably are.
IDHS also has advice for shoppers heading to retail stores between now and Christmas. Always park in a well-lit area, keep doors locked and be aware of surroundings in both stores and parking lots. Notify building security or a store employee immediately if a person or group is acting suspiciously in or near a business.
Additionally, do not leave wrapped or unwrapped gifts in a vehicle where others can see them. Place them in the trunk or cover them with a blanket.
Visit GetPrepared.IN.gov for more safety tips.
