CYBER MONDAY- Shop Safely This Holiday Season

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office wants to remind all residents that while online shopping for Cyber Monday and Christmas is convenient, it is also a prime time for cyber scammers. Protect your personal information and hard-earned money by following these essential safety tips:

• Check for the Lock and HTTPS: Before entering any personal or payment information, look for the padlock symbol in your browser's address bar and confirm the URL starts with https://. The 's' stands for secure and indicates the site is encrypted!
• Stick to Reputable Retailers: Shop with established, well-known vendors. Be cautious of "too good to be true" deals from unfamiliar websites. If a deal seems incredible, it's likely a scam.
• Use a Credit Card, Not Debit: Credit cards offer more protection against fraud and limit your liability. Monitor your financial statements regularly for any unauthorized charges.
• Avoid Clicking Unknown Links: NEVER click on links in unsolicited emails, social media ads, or texts, even if they look like they are from a major retailer. Instead, type the official store's website address directly into your browser.
• Secure Your Connections: Only shop when connected to a secure, private Wi-Fi network. Avoid making purchases or logging into sensitive accounts while using public Wi-Fi (like at a coffee shop or airport).

Recognizing Common Scams

• Fake Websites: Look for misspellings in the URL, low-quality images, or poor grammar—these are major red flags.
• Payment Requests: Legitimate retailers will never ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
• Phishing Emails: Be wary of emails demanding immediate action, claiming an issue with your order or account, and asking for personal details.

Have a safe and happy holiday shopping season!