Skip to main content
Presidio Group Wealth Management Logo My Account
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Approach
  • For Advisors
  • News and Events
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • My Account

Tips for Safe Online Shopping

According to the National Retail Federation, online sales accounted for over $1 trillion of total U.S. retail sales in 2021.1 Online shopping is especially popular during the holiday season, enabling you to avoid the crowds and conveniently purchase gifts using your smartphone or computer. Unfortunately, the popularity of online shopping also means that cyber criminals and online scams are more prevalent than ever. Here are some tips to help protect yourself when shopping online.



Check your device. Make sure that all of your devices (e.g., mobile phone, computer, and tablet) are up-to-date and configured to update automatically or notify you when updates are available.

Maintain strong passwords. Create strong passwords, at least 8 characters long, using a combination of lower- and upper-case letters, numbers, and symbols, and don’t use the same password for multiple accounts.

Use multi-factor authentication when available. Two-factor or multi-factor authentication, which involves using a one-time code sent to your mobile device in addition to your password, provides an extra layer of protection.

Watch out for phishing emails. Beware of emails that contain links or ask for personal information. Legitimate shopping websites will never email you and randomly ask for your personal information. In addition, don’t be fooled by fake package delivery updates. Make sure that all delivery emails are from reputable delivery companies you recognize.

The increase in popularity of online shopping means that cyber criminals and online scams are more prevalent than ever before.The increase in popularity of online shopping means that cyber criminals and online scams are more prevalent than ever before.

Beware of scam websites. Typing one word into a search engine to reach a particular retailer’s website may be easy, but it might not take you to the site you are actually looking for. Scam websites often contain URLs that look like misspelled brand or store names to trick online shoppers. To help determine whether an online retailer is reputable, research sites before you shop and read reviews from previous customers. Look for https:// in the URL and not just http://, since the “s” indicates a secure connection.

Use credit instead of debit. Credit cards generally have better protection than debit cards against fraudulent charges. In addition, consider using a mobile payment service (e.g., Apple Pay or Google Pay), which doesn’t require you to give your credit-card information directly to a merchant.

1) National Retail Federation, 2022

This information is not intended as tax, legal, investment, or retirement advice or recommendations, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek guidance from an independent tax or legal professional. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions. © 2023 Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.

Back to Newsletters
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Approach
  • For Advisors
  • News and Events
  • Contact
  • My Account

Investment and Insurance Products are:

  • Not Insured by the FDIC or Any Federal Government Agency
  • Not a Deposit or Other Obligation of, or Guaranteed by, the Bank or Any Bank Affiliate
  • Subject to Investment Risks, Including Possible Loss of the Principal Amount Invested

This information is intended for use only by residents of (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, KY, MD, NC, NE, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, TX, UT, WA, WI, WY). Securities-related services may not be provided to individuals residing in any state not listed above. Please consult with the FA as s/he may not be registered in all states.

For parties residing outside of the U.S., this information is: (i) provided for informational purposes only, (ii) not and should not be construed in any manner as an offer to participate in any investment or to buy or sell any securities or related financial instruments, and (iii) not and should not be construed in any manner as a public offering of any financial services, securities or related financial instruments. Products and services listed may not be available, or may have restrictions, depending on client country of residence.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN). Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and WFAFN, Members SIPC, separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Any other referenced entity is a separate entity from WFAFN.

Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies.

A note about Social Media: Opinions, comments and actions taken on Social Media are those of the third party and do not necessarily reflect the views of the creator of this profile or of the firm. Social Media is intended for U.S. residents only and subject to the following terms: wellsfargoadvisors.com/social.


  • Site Map
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Security
  • Notice of Data Collection

© 2022 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.

FINRA’s BrokerCheck Obtain more information about our firm and its financial professionals

FINRA’s BrokerCheck Obtain more information about our firm and its financial professionalsX

Important notice: You are leaving the Wells Fargo website

PLEASE NOTE: By clicking on this link, you will leave the Wells Fargo Advisors Web site and enter a privately owned web site created, operated and maintained by a third-party, which is not affiliated with Wells Fargo Advisors or its companies. The information and opinions found on this website have not been verified by our Firm, nor do we make any representations as to its accuracy and completeness. By linking to this Web site, Wells Fargo Advisors is not endorsing this third-party’s products and services, or its privacy and security policies, which may differ from Wells Fargo Advisors. We recommend that you review this third-party’s policies and terms and conditions to fully understand what information may be collected and maintained as a result of your visit to this website.