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Avoid scams this holiday season-Small Business Corner

The holiday season can bring cheer and charity, but before you make a purchase or donation, you will want to be aware of the scams that are out there.

According to recent statistics, about nearly one in five Americans are buying more gifts online this year due to supply chain issues. The combination of increased online shopping and heightened desperation creates the perfect environment for cybercriminals, who prey on emotions to steal credit card numbers, login credentials and other personally information from unsuspecting consumers.

Here are a few recommendations on how to shop safely and protect your small business during the holidays:

Double check credit card statements

Be sure to keep an eye on your bank and credit card accounts. This is good not only for security but also for keeping track of your small business spending.

Avoid fake charities

People are in the spirit of helping others during the holiday season. Therefore, it is important to always be aware of false charities asking for donations. People can easily make up fliers with phony websites for donations.

Be sure to always review the details of the charity and how the funds will be used. If you are concerned about donating online, you can verify the charity at Give.org.

Be on high alert for imposters

Be especially skeptical of ads that pop up in your social media feeds regarding amazing, limited-time offers.

If something seems too good to be true, that means it probably is.

If you are worried about the security of the internet at your local store, if you have a brick-and-mortar store space, you can use the cellular connection on your smartphone instead. It is a lot more secure than just about any Wi-Fi connection out there.

Just take a moment, slow down, step back and pay attention to what you are looking at and for. And if it does not make sense, it is probably something you should just delete and get rid of and move on.

We wish you a safe, and happy holiday season!