Right now is the time of year when Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. Shopping in November and December is at an all-time high as most of us are trying to find the perfect gift for friends and family. Unfortunately, while we are embracing the season, scammers and fraudsters are much more active. 

The best way to avoid scams and fraud this upcoming holiday season is to be aware and on top of what is happening with your accounts. A few simple steps today could help you avoid the hassles and headaches of unwanted purchases when the holiday spending flurry begins. Take a few minutes and a few steps to help keep your money safe.

1. Set up real time alerts in online banking. You can set alerts that will send you a text message or an email notifying you when transactions occur in your accounts. This helps to ensure that you are aware of each purchase made on your account. And we have a service for your debit card called CardProtect. You can also set up notifications to alert you to transactions on your debit card.
   
   
2. Zelle is a convenient and easy way to send money, and there are those times when cash is the perfect gift. Remember when sending money with Zelle, always check on the recipient’s ’s exact name. It can be tricky, such as DonaldDuck01 and DonalDucky01. These are two different people who have similarly spelled names. Please remember to verify the recipient’s name before sending a Zelle transaction.
   
   
3. Use your digital wallet – Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet and others provide a convenient way to pay for items online or in person, and best of all, you don’t have to pull out your cash or credit cards. Wallet apps also provide enhanced security features. So, take a minute to update your credit card and personal information in your wallet of choice. The digital wallet is a safer, more convenient way to pay in-store and online.

Now that you’ve taken a few minutes before the holidays with these steps, we suggest you go grab a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy! Happy holiday shopping!