Stay Safe While Shopping Online This Holiday Season

December 15, 2025

Beware of Shopping Scams and Porch Pirates

Shopping for the perfect holiday gifts from your smartphone, tablet, or computer—and having them delivered right to your door—couldn’t be more convenient. But with that convenience comes risk. At Ridgewood Savings Bank, helping our customers stay safe—financially and personally—is part of our mission. Below, we outline how fraudsters target online shoppers, how to help protect yourself, why last-minute shoppers may face additional risks, and how to guard your packages once they arrive.

Common Ways Fraudsters Target Online Shoppers

There’s nothing better than finding exactly what you want, comparing prices quickly, and skipping long lines during the busy holiday season. But before you check out, proceed with caution.

If your items arrive damaged, never arrive, turn out to be knockoffs, or come with hidden fees, your deal may not feel like much of a deal. More seriously, submitting your personal or financial information to a fraudulent site can lead to identity theft or long-term financial harm.

According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), scammers often target online shoppers in three main ways:

1. Fraudulent Shopping Sites and Emails

A message offering a hard-to-find gift at a steep discount can be tempting. But scammers often design fake websites and emails to look legitimate, hoping you’ll enter your personal or payment information. These schemes are especially common during the holidays, when fraudulent sites may even pose as charities seeking “donations.”

2. Intercepting Information from Non-Secure Transactions

Legitimate retailers use encryption to protect your information as it’s transmitted. Look for “https” at the beginning of the URL. If the “s” is missing, the site is not secure, and your information could be intercepted.

3. Targeting Device Vulnerabilities

Without up-to-date antivirus or anti-malware software, cybercriminals may be able to access your phone, tablet, or computer—and the sensitive information stored on it.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

While no method is foolproof, these 11 simple practices can help you shop safely:

1. Shop with retailers you know and trust.
2. Be wary of marketplace sellers or unknown retailers contacting you via email.
3. Look for “https” in the URL before entering information.
4. Use secure payment options like major credit cards or PayPal.
5. Only use official retailer apps.
6. Stay informed about data breaches and monitor your accounts.
7. Protect your devices with antivirus software.
8. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for purchases.
9. Reconsider storing your card number online or in apps.
10. Use strong, unique passwords.
11. Consider identity-theft protection services.

Tip from Ridgewood: With Ridgewood Online and Mobile Banking, you can set up account alerts to receive notifications of unusual activity—helping you catch fraud early.

Last-Minute Shoppers May Be Especially Vulnerable

It happens to everyone—unexpected gifts, forgotten names on your list, or sudden bursts of holiday generosity. Online shopping makes last-minute purchases possible, but it may also increase your risk.

Here’s why:

• Gift card scams are common and often delivered through phony emails and scam websites.
• Hard-to-find items may only be available from unfamiliar sellers—some of which may not be legitimate.
• Rushed decisions may make it less likely you’ll slow down and check for signs of fraud.
• Pressure to secure fast shipping can make shoppers overlook unusually high fees or suspicious vendors.

If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

Be on Guard for Porch Pirates

You’ve done everything right—shopped at reputable sites and used safe payment methods. But even after your package is shipped, the risk isn’t over. “Porch pirates” often follow delivery trucks or watch for unattended boxes.

To reduce your risk:

• Bring packages inside as soon as they’re delivered.
• If you can’t be home, ask a trusted neighbor to secure them.
• Consider a doorbell or security camera.
• Avoid scheduling deliveries when you know you’ll be out.
• Use package lockers for high-value purchases or require a signature.

Helpful Ridgewood Tip: With a Ridgewood Savings Bank Debit Card, you can take control of your account security using Card Controls in our Mobile and Online Banking. If you ever notice a suspicious transaction—such as one linked to a missing or stolen package—you can freeze your Ridgewood Debit Card right from your phone, helping keep your money safe and giving you peace of mind.

Be a Safe Shopper All Year Long

Online shopping scams don’t end when the holidays do. Stay vigilant whenever you’re sharing personal or financial information.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of an online shopping scam that involves a Ridgewood account or card, contact Ridgewood Savings Bank immediately. Our team can help you take steps to secure your accounts and provide information on how to protect your finances going forward.

And remember: Tools like Ridgewood Online & Mobile Banking, Debit Card Alerts and Card Controls can offer added layers of security—during the holidays and all year long.

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