Stay Scam-Smart: Secure Holiday Shopping Tips for Fraud-Free Festivities!

The holiday season is a time of joy, celebration, and unfortunately, increased risk of fraud. As we dive into holiday festivities, it’s crucial to stay scam-smart and safeguard your finances from potential threats. Stay informed, stay cautious, and enjoy the festive season without falling victim to scams or breaking the bank.

At First Bank, we believe in keeping you informed with “Good to Know” information that helps you with your financial future. In addition to our Fraud Resources Center, here are some additional tips and reminders to ensure your celebrations remain blissfully fraud-free.

Opt for Credit Over Debit
Shop Through Secure Websites
Set Spending Limits
Avoid Phone Scams

Opt for Credit Over Debit

One powerful tool in your defense arsenal against fraud is your credit card, which, when used wisely, can offer an extra layer of security during holiday shopping. According to bankrate.com, in general, credit cards offer better fraud protection. Funds can be removed from your bank account directly and quickly when using a debit card, making the process of disputing and getting your money back much more time-consuming. If you use your credit card wisely and don’t spend more than you have available, you don’t have to worry about your checking account balance being affected if fraudulent transactions occur.

When shopping online or locally, consider using a credit card instead of a debit card. First Bank credit cards not only allow you to earn reward points for every qualifying purchase, but they also come with Zero Liability and Mastercard ID Theft Protection¹. You can enjoy real-time rewards this holiday season, feel confident you’ll only pay for the purchases you authorize, and have resources at your fingertips if you are a victim of identity theft.

1.) Mastercard ID Theft Protection requires enrollment. Enroll here.

First Bank Credit Card with Rewards being used on touchless payment pad.

Coffee $15.60 Gasoline $45.11 Groceries $214.89

Platinum Credit Card with Rewards

Earn points to use towards rewards for every dollar you spend on qualified everyday expenses, like groceries, gas, and utilities.

Start Earning

Shop Securely

Shopping safely online starts with ensuring the website you are using is secure. Scammers are smart and can make convincing “fake” websites designed to steal your information. There are a few quick ways you can check if a website is safe.

Confirm the website has an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate – you can do this by simply looking for “https://” at the beginning of the URL and a lock icon on the far left side of the address bar.
Search for contact information – if a website doesn’t have obvious contact information, it could point towards the fact that its creators do not want to be contacted because they are potentially participating in something illegitimate.
Be wary of grammar mishaps – a website that is full of spelling mistakes could point to the fact that it is not safe. Spoofed websites are designed to look convincing so you will provide your personal and financial information, but more than likely will contain grammatical errors.
You are bombarded by pop-ups – an onslaught of pop-ups, especially those requesting your financial information, that are not in any way related to the website you are viewing can be another sign of an unsafe website.

While these are great reminders for checking whether a website is secure, it does not necessarily mean that a website is safe if you don’t see any of these. Stay smart and always remember that when in doubt about the security of a website, it is better to avoid it altogether rather than risk having your personal or financial information compromised.

Set Spending Limits

We’ve all done it, gotten carried away with holiday shopping because we keep finding great presents for our friends and family. Without setting a specific limit for your holiday shopping, you can easily go over what you should be spending. You can help prevent excessive spending and ensure your budget stays on track by establishing a set spending limit ahead of time.

All First Bank credit cards have the ability to control your spending by establishing specific limits for purchases. You can set alert notifications to receive real-time updates so you know when you reach your spending limit without having to think about how much you’ve already spent. In addition to being a helpful tool to stay in your budget, alert notifications can help you catch fraud earlier and help prevent it from snowballing.

Total Amount

$1,578.64

Select to View
Transactions

Business transaction using First Bank credit card.

Track your cashflow with MyMoney.

Manage your budget, track your spending, and modify your payback plans for debts.

Get Organized

Beware of Phony Phone Calls

Scammers know that fraud picks up around the holidays and they use that to their advantage by posing as bank representatives pretending to call or text you about potential fraudulent purchases on your account. One frequently used scam is when fraudsters call from an unfamiliar number and state that your credit card may have been compromised; even providing the last four digits on the card. It’s a scary situation, and one that’s all too familiar but here are some important reminders to conquer this type of scam.

Start by taking a deep breath – fraudsters hope that you’ll be so overwhelmed by what they are telling you that you’ll inadvertently share the details that allow them to hack your card.
Do not give out any personal information – no matter how legitimate the call may seem, you should not provide your personal information on a call that you didn’t initiate (this includes your credit or debit card number, bank account or social security numbers, or online banking login information).
Hang up and call your bank directly – when in doubt, call us from one of our secure phone numbers instead of remaining on the original call you received. By taking control and reaching out to your bank via a secure connection you can feel confident that you are speaking to a real bank representative that can confirm whether the “fraud” the scammer claimed was happening on your account is real or not.

Happy Holidays from First Bank

Remember, a proactive and vigilant approach is key to ensuring a fraud-free celebration. At First Bank, we believe that by incorporating these credit card safety measures into your holiday shopping routine, you can enjoy a festive season with peace of mind. Stay scam-smart by utilizing your credit card to your advantage, double checking the websites you’re shopping on for security, staying on top of your budget, and keeping an ear out for phone scammers.

We’re here to support you and make your holiday shopping experience secure and joyful. Be sure to reach out to our Customer Support team or your local branch if you need assistance this holiday season.

Share:

Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know about new tips, insights, and products from First Bank.

First Bank may use this email address to contact you about products, services, and promotions.

You may be interested in...

Am I Eligible for FEMA Relief? Here’s What You Need to Know Who Qualifies for Assistance? Federal disaster aid is available for residents and business owners in the following counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. Not sure if you’re eligible? You can verify your eligibility and apply directly on FEMA’s website: DisasterAssistance.gov. What Assistance Does FEMA Offer? FEMA provides a range of relief programs aimed at helping individuals and businesses recover from disasters. Here’s a closer look at what you may be eligible to receive: 1. Housing Assistance This aid helps you secure safe shelter while your home is being repaired or rebuilt. FEMA can provide funds for: Rental Assistance: Financial support to rent a temporary residence if your home is uninhabitable due to disaster-related damage. Lodging Expense Reimbursement: If you had to stay in a hotel or motel, FEMA can reimburse you for these expenses. This is especially helpful if you were unable to find immediate rental options. Home Repair or Replacement: Grants are available to help repair or replace your home and address disaster-specific damages, such as water damage or mold. FEMA may also cover hazard mitigation measures that reduce the risk of future damage. Accessibility Needs: If you or someone in your household has a disability, FEMA can provide funds to make your home accessible. This might include ramps, grab bars, and other necessary modifications, even if these were not originally present before the disaster. Privately-Owned Roads, Bridges, and Docks: If the only access to your home has been damaged, FEMA can help cover repair costs for private infrastructure like roads and bridges. 2. Other Needs Assistance This program helps with essential expenses and serious needs beyond housing. Covered expenses include: Serious Needs: Grants to cover immediate necessities like food, water, first aid, prescriptions, and personal hygiene items, ensuring you have access to essentials during recovery. Displacement: If your home is uninhabitable, FEMA can help cover the cost of staying with family, friends, or in a hotel while you search for a more permanent solution. Personal Property: Financial assistance to repair or replace items essential to daily life, such as appliances, furniture, and work or school-related items like computers and tools. This can also include uniforms, books, and equipment needed for self-employment. Medical and Dental Expenses: If the disaster caused injury or damaged medical or dental equipment, FEMA can help cover the costs for treatment, equipment replacement, and prescribed medications. Funeral Costs: In the unfortunate event that the disaster resulted in a loss of life, FEMA offers support to cover funeral or reburial expenses. Child Care: For families facing increased child care costs due to the disaster, FEMA can provide funds to help cover these additional expenses. Assistance for Miscellaneous Items: Reimbursement for items like generators, dehumidifiers, and chainsaws that were purchased or rented to aid in the recovery process. Transportation: If your vehicle was damaged and you don’t have an alternative mode of transportation, FEMA may help cover the repair or replacement costs to ensure you have a way to get to work, school, or other essential places. Moving and Storage Expenses: FEMA can help with costs associated with moving and storing personal property, especially if it needs to be relocated temporarily during home repairs or if you need to move to a new residence. Each of these programs is designed to provide immediate and practical support, so you can focus on the well-being of your family and community as you rebuild after the disaster. How Do I Apply for FEMA Assistance? Applying for FEMA relief is straightforward. Here are the steps to get started: Apply Online: Visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply for assistance. You can also download the FEMA App or call FEMA’s toll-free number at 1-800-621-3362. Register for an Account: If you’re applying online, you’ll need to create an account on Login.gov. This will allow you to save your application, upload documents, and check your status. Prepare Your Information: You’ll need details like your home and mailing address, Social Security number, insurance info, and bank details for direct deposit. Submit Your Application: Once you’ve completed the application, review it, make any necessary changes, and submit it. Be sure to save your application ID as you’ll need it for future communication with FEMA. What Happens After You Apply? After applying, FEMA will review your application and may contact you for additional information or to schedule an inspection. You can always log into your account on DisasterAssistance.gov to check your application status and receive updates. If approved, FEMA will disburse funds via direct deposit or a mailed check, based on your preference. For more information or to begin the application process, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362, or use the FEMA App. Recovering from Disaster with FEMA’s Support If you’re affected by Hurricane Helene, you don’t have to face it alone. FEMA offers a range of programs designed to help you get back on your feet. Take advantage of these resources to help ease the journey to recovery. 5 min read

Close up of a For Rent sign in front of a house.

Rent to Own: What the Buyer Should Consider If you're interested in buying a home but are unable to qualify for a mortgage, you might consider a rent-to-own situation. 3 min read

Infographic header financial wellness journey

It’s Never Too Late to Start Your Financial Journey A little financial education can go a long way to help your employees manage their money and plan for the future. This infographic below, lays out some startling facts about why now is the time to boost financial savvy. 1 min read

How To Make A Budget The best way to save money and gain control over your finances is to make a budget. Follow these simple steps to make a budget that will save you money and bring you peace of mind about your spending. Making a Budget People often set their budgets according to a monthly schedule because most living expenses are based on monthly billing cycles. As such, it won’t hurt to spend one full month making your budget. That way you’ll come up with the most accurate data possible. Record All Your Expenses Keep track of everything you pay each month. This includes: Rent/mortgage Car payments Car warranty Utility bills Student loans Cell phone bill Gas Groceries Insurance (car, health, or any other type) Home warranty Memberships to gyms or clubs Charitable donations Many of your monthly expenses are fixed amounts. But others, such as gas and groceries, will fluctuate from one month to the next. Round slightly up for these as it’s better to come up a little short of the intended number than to go over it. Also, some payments such as car insurance might be quarterly or yearly. Figure out how much it equates to per month and factor the payment in that way. Record Your Income The next step is to tally up how much money you’re bringing in each month. If you have a job that pays hourly or by commission and each paycheck varies a little, round slightly down. It’s better to bring in a little more money than what you intended as opposed to coming up short. Do the Math Now that you know what’s going out and what’s coming in, do the math to determine how much is left over. If the difference is positive (you’re making more than you spend): Great! You have extra money that can be put in a savings account, vacation account, or to be used for fun spending money. Or, use it to chip away at those student loans or car payments. Remember, the faster you pay those off, the less you’ll spend in interest in the long run. If the difference is negative (you’re spending more than you make): You’re operating in debt and the sooner you can curb the momentum, 4 min read

Stay Scam-Smart: Secure Holiday Shopping Tips for Fraud-Free Festivities!

Ready to talk to an expert?

Opt for Credit Over Debit

Shop Securely

Set Spending Limits

Beware of Phony Phone Calls

Happy Holidays from First Bank

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...