How to Spot Fake Deals and Shop Safely Online
The biggest shopping days of the year bring plenty of opportunities to save, but they also give scammers more chances to target shoppers. From fake Black Friday deals to fraudulent websites that look like trusted retailers, it can be difficult to tell a genuine bargain from a scam.
Before you start filling your online shopping cart, take a few minutes to learn how to recognize suspicious offers, protect your payment information, and keep your finances secure throughout the holiday season.
Be Skeptical of Deals That Seem too Good to be True
An unusually low price on a popular product can be tempting, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. However, scammers often use steep discounts on electronics, designer products, toys, and other popular gifts to lure shoppers to fraudulent websites. You might pay for an item that never arrives or receive something completely different from what was advertised.
Before Making a Purchase, Keep a Few Things in Mind:
Compare prices: Check the same product on the retailer's official website and other reputable stores.
Research unfamiliar sellers: Search the business name alongside terms such as "reviews," "complaints," or “scam."
Read the fine print: Review shipping costs, delivery estimates, return policies, and refund terms.
Check the website address: Watch for misspellings, unusual domain names, or URLs that imitate a well-known retailer.
A professional-looking website, positive reviews, or a padlock icon in the browser does not automatically mean a seller is legitimate. Take time to verify the business before sharing your payment information.
Avoid Shopping Links from Suspicious Ads, Emails, and Texts
Scammers frequently use social media advertisements, promotional emails, and text messages to direct shoppers to fake stores. Some messages create a sense of urgency with phrases such as "last chance," "limited quantities," or "your exclusive deal expires today.” Instead of clicking a link in an unexpected message, visit the retailer's website directly by typing its address into your browser or using its official app. Be especially cautious of messages claiming you need to pay an unexpected shipping fee or provide personal information to receive a package.
If a message claims to come from NW Plus Credit Union and asks you to verify sensitive account information, don't click the link or respond. Contact us at NW Plus through our website or call us to verify the message. NW Plus will not ask you to share your full password, PIN, or secure access code over the phone or email.
Choose Payment Methods Carefully
Your method of payment can make a difference if a purchase goes wrong. When possible, consider using a credit card for online purchases because it gives you a way to dispute certain unauthorized or incorrect charges. Be cautious if an unfamiliar seller insists that you pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or a payment app. These methods can be difficult to reverse, and requests for these payment methods are a common warning sign of scams.
If you use your NW Plus debit card for online shopping, you can take advantage of the card management tools available through the NW Plus mobile app. The Cards feature, also known as CARDS+, lets members turn their debit card on or off, review transactions, set spending controls, and receive transaction alerts. These tools give you more visibility into your card activity, but they don't replace careful shopping habits or guarantee that every fraudulent transaction will be prevented.
Make Sure to Monitor your Transactions After Shopping
Your fraud prevention efforts shouldn't end when you click "Place Order." Review your account activity regularly, especially during high-volume shopping periods when several purchases may appear close together. Look for unfamiliar merchants, duplicate charges, unexpected transaction amounts, or purchases you don't remember making. If something looks suspicious, contact your financial institution promptly using a verified phone number or official banking channel.
You don't have to avoid online shopping to protect yourself from scams. A little research, careful payment practices, and regular account monitoring can go a long way toward keeping your holiday purchases secure.
Financial Tools Designed for Members
At NW Plus Credit Union, we believe financial tools should help you feel more informed and in control of your money. From mobile banking and debit card management to fraud monitoring, NW Plus offers resources to help members manage their finances throughout the year.
Interested in becoming a member? Explore NW Plus membership benefits and learn how our digital banking tools can support your everyday financial needs
Never share your account number, passwords, answers to security questions, or other account information. We will never ask you for this type of information when we call or email you. If someone claiming to be a NW Plus CU representative asks for sensitive account information over the phone or in an email, end the conversation immediately, and call us at 425.297.1000 or come to one of our branches to report the incident.
