Stay one step ahead of scammers this holiday season

The holidays should feel joyful — not stressful. Unfortunately, this is also the time when scammers try to take advantage of busy shoppers and generous donors. The Federal Trade Commission reports that Americans lose billions of dollars to fraud each year, with a noticeable spike during the holiday season.

Staying a step ahead begins with awareness, a few smart security habits, and knowing what to do if something doesn’t feel right.

Recognize seasonal red flags

Scammers rely on urgency and emotion to trick people into acting fast. Watch for these warning signs:

• Fake shipping alerts or missed delivery notices.

• Emails or texts about locked accounts or surprise refunds.

• Unrealistic discounts, giveaways, or gift card requests.

• Charity appeals from names that sound like trusted organizations.

If a message pressures you to act immediately or keep a deal secret, stop and verify. Go directly to the company’s official website or app instead of clicking links or replying to the message.

Secure your accounts and devices

Layered protection makes you a harder target:

• Use unique passphrases for every account and store them in a trusted password manager.

• Turn on multifactor authentication (MFA) whenever it’s available.

• Set account alerts for logins, transfers, and large purchases.

• Keep your phone and computer updated with the latest software.

• Avoid entering sensitive information on public Wi-Fi — use your mobile network or a secure hot spot instead.

• Log out of shared or borrowed devices when finished.

Shop and donate with confidence

Stick with merchants you know and trust. Before you pay:

Confirm the website address starts with https:// and matches the merchant’s official domain.

Use credit cards or bank-backed digital wallets, which provide stronger fraud protection than cash-transfer apps.

If you donate, go directly to the charity’s official site — don’t click on links in emails, ads, or social media posts.

Keep digital or paper receipts so you can match them to your statements later.

Tip: Republic Bank cards include built-in fraud monitoring and 24/7 support to help you shop with confidence.

Act quickly if something seems off

Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is.

Contact your bank immediately using the phone number on the back of your card or the official website.

Change passwords for any account that might have been compromised.

Review your recent transactions and temporarily freeze your card if needed.

Report phishing messages to your email or phone provider to help block future attempts.

Acting promptly is the best way to limit exposure and restore peace of mind.

A message from Republic Bank

At Republic Bank, protecting our customers is part of who we are. As you celebrate the season, take a few simple steps to stay safe online and in stores.

For more tips or to report suspicious activity, email ContactUs@republicebank.com or call (800) 526-9127.

• Madhu Reddy is executive vice president and chief information officer at Republic Bank of Chicago. A member FDIC.