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Shop Smart: 8 Tips for Cyber Monday Safety

Shop Smart: 8 Tips for Cyber Monday Safety

Jenius Bank Team
Updated 10/27/2025
• Originally Published 11/13/2023
LifestyleMoney Management
A couple holiday shopping on their laptops.
Shopping smarter and safer on Cyber Monday may help you avoid scams, protect your information, and maximize your holiday gift giving.Cyber Monday is more than just a day of deals, it’s a digital celebration of savings, convenience, and opportunity. But with great discounts comes great responsibility. As online shopping surges, so do the risks. From phishing scams to fake websites, cybercriminals are ready to pounce on unsuspecting shoppers.At Jenius Bank, we believe smart shopping starts with smart security. Whether you're hunting for tech gadgets, fashion finds, or holiday gifts, this guide could help you shop confidently, protect your personal information, and make the most of Cyber Monday without falling for the traps.

Key Takeaways

  • Cyber Monday offers significant online shopping opportunities, but also may increase the risks of identity theft, fraud, and cybercrime.
  • Being able to identify scams, counterfeit websites, and suspicious sellers could be crucial to protecting yourself during this busy shopping period.
  • Monitoring your purchases and deliveries, along with practicing smart online security habits, may help you avoid losses and shop safely.

Cyber Monday: A Quick Primer

As most people know, Cyber Monday falls on the Monday after Thanksgiving and has become one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. It began as a way to capture the surge in online sales following the largely in-person Black Friday events. Fast forward to today, and Cyber Monday often rivals, or even surpasses, Black Friday in total spending, and many online retailers have begun extending their Cyber Monday throughout the week after Thanksgiving, creating what is known as Cyber Week.

Why Cyber Monday Is a Magnet for Scammers

The excitement of scoring a deal could cloud your judgment. Cybercriminals know this and may use tactics like:
  • Fake websites that mimic popular retailers
  • Phishing emails disguised as shipping updates or gift offers
  • Bogus ads on social media promising “too-good-to-be-true” discounts
That’s why cybersecurity awareness could be your best defense to help avoid Cyber Monday scams.

Shop Safely During Cyber Week

Shopping online exposes you to different types of threats and security risks. Every year there are news reports and articles about consumers that have fallen victim to holiday shopping scams. Collectively, billions are typically lost to cybercrime each year, but with the volume of transactions on Cyber Monday, it would be no surprise to see a spike in scams this time of year. Here are eight tips that may help you shop more safely on Cyber Monday.

1. Shop Only on Secure, Trusted Websites

Before you click “Buy Now,” check the URL for “HTTPS” and the padlock icon in the address bar for a confirmation of your data encryption. While we all know this, many times we’re moving quickly or multi-tasking when online shopping so it’s easy to forget or ignore.Common signs of scam websites:
  • Use only HTTP
  • Have misspelled domain names (e.g., amaz0n.com)
  • Lack contact info or customer service details
Jenius Tip: Bookmark your favorite retailers and shop directly from those links. This may help you avoid typo squatting scams and malicious ads.

2. Use Strong, Unique Passwords

If you’re creating accounts to access deals or loyalty programs, use passwords that are:
  • At least 12 characters long
  • A mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols
  • Not reused across multiple sites
Jenius Tip: Explore using a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

3. Use two-factor authentication

As a complement to your password strategy, enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible for an extra layer of access protection to your online accounts, especially those that store your payment information. This typically makes it harder for cybercriminals and hackers to intercept your data and steal your identity.

4. Pay with Credit Cards or Third Parties

Credit cards usually offer better fraud protection than debit cards. If a credit card transaction goes wrong, it’s easier to dispute charges prior to your payment even being due. And many credit cards will block transactions at suspicious sites or activity that is outside of your usual spending patterns. Their anti-fraud alerts could help you avoid a risky transaction from the outset. With a debit transaction, these types of safeguards typically don’t exist.You may also try a third-party payment service like PayPal or Apple Wallet to make purchases without giving websites your credit card information. Jenius Tip: Check your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorized charges. Set up purchase alerts with your credit card company to help you detect any unauthorized charges even more quickly.

5. Avoid Public Wi-Fi While Shopping

Public networks are playgrounds for hackers. If you must shop on the go, use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your connection and protect sensitive data. At a minimum, you may want to try using your cellular data in lieu of a “free” option when you’re away from home. Even if you have to pay for the extra data, the peace of mind could be worth it.

6. Spot and Avoid Phishing Scams

If you receive an email from an address you don’t know or if you receive an email from your bank, credit card company, or other service provider asking you to verify your personal information, don’t. These could be phishing scams.Watch out for:
  • Emails claiming your package is delayed
  • Messages offering free gifts or coupons
  • Fake “order confirmation” emails
How could you stay safe? Don’t click on suspicious links. Instead, verify sender addresses: Go directly to the retailer’s website to check order status or contact the organization directly via their customer service and make sure the request came from them.

7. Protect Your Deliveries

Cyber Monday kicks off peak package season. Porch piracy is real — and rising.Here are some ways you could help protect your purchases:
  • Track shipments via retailer apps
  • Use secure pickup lockers
  • Require a signature for high-value items

8. Watch for Social Media Scams

Scammers often use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to promote fake deals. If a post seems too good to be true, it probably is.Just like elsewhere on the internet, avoid:
  • Clicking on ads from unknown sellers
  • Buying from accounts with few followers or no reviews
  • Sharing personal info via direct messages

Final Thoughts: Shop Like a Jenius

Cyber Monday is a golden opportunity to save big but only if you shop smart. By following these tips, you may improve how you protect your finances, your identity, and your peace of mind.Remember:
  • Be vigilant
  • Stay informed
  • Prioritize security
And most importantly, enjoy the thrill of finding the perfect gift!And if you’re looking for how to save money while staying safe online, check out our holiday budgeting tips!