Illinois Officials Warn Holiday Shoppers About Rising Online Scams

Shoppers are being urged to stay alert heading into the busy weekend at the stores and online, with a surge in scams being reported across Illinois and Wisconsin.

Holiday Season Brings Increased Cybercrime Threats

As the holiday shopping rush begins, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is urging residents to take extra precautions when making online purchases.

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According to the press release, IDOR reports that cyber crimes continue to escalate, which puts consumers at a greater risk of identity theft and financial fraud.

State Leaders Stress Simple Steps to Prevent Fraud

IDOR Director David Harris emphasized in the press release that small, proactive steps can prevent "months or even years of financial and personal hardship" for Illinois shoppers.

This is one of the busiest online shopping periods of the year, and cybercriminals are waiting for people to let their guard down, Online safety is essential and by following these steps, Illinois residents can shop with confidence and protect themselves from fraud. -IDOR Director David Harris.

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Key Safety Tips for Illinois Consumers

IDOR advises residents to shop only with trusted retailers, verify that the website is secure by checking for "https" in the URL, and choose credit cards over debit cards for stronger protection.

Officials also stress the importance of strong, unique passwords and enabling multifactor authentication on all shopping accounts.

Illinois shoppers are urged to avoid public Wi-Fi when entering payment information, regularly monitor financial statements for suspicious activity, and remain wary of delivery or tracking scams, one of the fastest-growing forms of seasonal fraud.

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IDOR also reminds residents that it will never request sensitive details such as a Social Security number over email or text unless a secure communication channel is already established.

Online safety is essential and by following these steps, Illinois residents can shop with confidence and protect themselves from fraud. Staying alert and informed is the best defense against cybercriminals this holiday season. -IDOR Director David Harris