Shop Smart and Stay Safe This Holiday Season!

The holiday season brings great deals, gift-giving excitement, and a rush of online shopping—but it also brings a surge in online scams. Fake websites, phishing emails, and too-good-to-be-true “Black Friday deals” pop up everywhere this time of year, hoping to trick shoppers into giving away personal information or payment details. 

Before clicking “Buy Now,” take a moment to make sure the site is secure: look for the little padlock next to the website address, double-check the spelling of the site (scammers often change just one letter), and avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi. A few extra seconds could save you from a major headache later.

Scammers also take advantage of holiday chaos by sending fake shipping notifications, charity requests, and discount codes. If you receive an unexpected message—even one that looks like it’s from a real company—don’t click the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s official website or app to verify the information. 

Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is. And if you ever need help checking whether a website or email is legitimate, Help Desk Next Door is here to make your holiday season safer, smoother, and scam-free.