Stay Safe this Holiday Season

Can you believe that Halloween has already faded in our rearview mirror, and it is now time to prepare for the holiday shopping season?! Over the next few weeks, consumers across the country will begin preparing to usher in the most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, good tidings are not the only thing we can expect – cybercriminals are getting ready too.

Cybercriminals are active year-round; however, they are especially prevalent, and more likely to be successful, during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. According to Norton, nearly half of consumers report being targeted by a scam while shopping online. Now is the time to be hyper-vigilant.

MC Federal Credit Union would like to share some best practices to keep you and your family safe from cybercriminals as you enjoy this holiday season:

1. Do not interact with unsolicited communications
   • Cybercriminals often send fraudulent communications that appear to be from a legitimate retailer
   • These communications may include a malicious link or ask you to share your personal information
2. Watch out for Fraudulent websites
   • Cybercriminals can easily create a website that appears legitimate
   • Fraudulent websites may contain a malicious link or ask you to share your personal information
   • Always double check the URL you are visiting
3. Avoid fake shipping notifications
   • Do not click on unsolicited links in any text or email
   • Always review order information on your account or contact the company directly
4. Do not store payment information on websites or within apps
   • Retailers may not have strong security systems in place leaving your information vulnerable to compromise
5. Use a Credit Card for online shopping
   • A Credit Card is not linked to your checking account; therefore, you can avoid an impact to your daily budget should your card number become compromised
   • Credit Cards, like the MC Federal Visa® Premium Rewards credit card, often come with purchase protection as well as additional benefits and rewards to help you cash in on your holiday spending
6. Beware of anyone requiring payment through gift cards
   • No reputable company will ever require payment with gift cards
7. Ask yourself, “Is this too good to be true?”
   • Do not click on ads that offer an unbelievable price or discount for a product or service
   • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
8. Be cautious when donating to charities
   • Cybercriminals will take advantage of your good will and may impersonate charitable organizations
   • Use sites like Charity Navigator, Give.org, or Charity Watch to verify the organization before making a donation
9. Do not shop on a public Wi-Fi network
   • Public Wi-Fi networks may not be secure, and cybercriminals may be able to capture your information or monitor your activity
10. Monitor your accounts
    • Review your accounts for unusual or unauthorized charges
    • Never share your usernames and passwords with anyone
    • Use Card Management tools to turn your card off if it is misplaced
    • Set up Alerts to stay on top of withdrawals and track your balances
    • Report suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately

You can learn more about how to protect you and your family by reviewing the resources under the Security tab on our website mcfcu.org. Use the Fraud & Security Alerts, Fraud Prevention Tips, Cybersecurity Awareness tools, and other resources to help you keep your information safe.

MC Federal Credit Union considers the financial health of you and your family to be among our top priorities. We are available to assist you in our branches, over the phone at 800.834.0082, and via secure message within Digital Banking. Never hesitate to contact a Member Service Representative when something does not feel right; we are here to help keep you safe.

Thank you for being an important part of the MC Federal community and have a happy and healthy holiday!

Elba Arenas
President & CEO
MC Federal Credit Union