Illinois Department of Revenue
Offers Online Safety Tips as Holiday Shopping Season Approaches
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[December 02, 2024]
As the holiday shopping season is quickly
approaching and bargain hunters are gearing up to find the best
deals online, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding
taxpayers to remain vigilant against potential online threats.
"Throughout the year, IDOR, members of the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS), and other state tax administrators all work together to
safeguard taxpayers’ personal information," explained IDOR Director
David Harris. “This time of year, as holiday shopping begins and
Black Friday and Cyber Monday online sales tend to hit record highs,
there is often an increased risk of cybercriminals taking advantage
of unsuspecting shoppers.”
Without proper online safety, thieves can potentially
steal personal information. Below are some safety tips to help
protect against these attacks:
Protect personal information. Refrain from revealing too much
personal information online. Birthdates, addresses, age, and
financial information, such as bank accounts and Social Security
Numbers, are among things that should not be shared freely.
Use strong passwords. Consider using a password manager to store
passwords.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). Use this for extra
security for online accounts.
Use security software. Security software such as an anti-virus or
firewall provide added protection.
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Beware of Phishing Emails and
Social Media Scams. Fraudsters often use media messages that
mimic legitimate promotional offers or shipping notifications
designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information, such
as credit card details, or to download malware onto your device.
Beware of Spoofed Websites and Fake Online Stores. Fake websites
that imitate popular online retailers pop up frequently during
the holiday shopping season. These sites may look identical to
the real thing, but their sole purpose is to steal your payment
information.
Beware of Text Message Phishing Scams. Phishing and deceptive
text messages can lure customers into providing personal or
financial information. In addition, “clicking” on a link or
attachment may send information from your phone to others
without your consent.
Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card when Possible. Credit
cards offer an extra layer of protection when you're shopping
online. Unlike debit cards that are directly linked to your bank
account, credit cards usually offer greater protection in case
your account is compromised.
Monitor Bank and Credit Card Statements: Regularly check your
accounts for any unauthorized transactions and report suspicious
activity immediately.
[Text received from Illinois Department
of Revenue]
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