The holiday season is full of excitement, and extra spending. Unfortunately, it’s also a peak time for fraud. Scammers know shoppers are busy and distracted, making it easier to slip in fraudulent charges or phishing attempts. Staying informed is one of the best ways to protect your finances.
Here are five practical tips to help you shop safely this season:
1. Keep an Eye on Your Accounts
Review your transactions regularly. Monitoring your account activity helps you spot unusual charges early. Many cardholders use their card’s digital account management platform to set alerts and controls that make tracking and monitoring simpler.
Click here to learn more about the digital account management tools available to you.
2. Understand Your Protections
Most credit cards include features designed to safeguard your purchases and balances:
If you suspect fraud or want to learn more about these protections, contact the number on the back of your card or visit collabriacreditcards.ca, select your credit union or financial institution and navigate to ‘Card Benefits’.
3. Watch Out for Holiday Scams
Fraudsters often impersonate trusted companies during the holidays. Remember:
4. Shop Securely Online
Stick to reputable websites, look for “https” and the padlock icon, and avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases. Strong, unique passwords for your accounts add another layer of protection.
5. Act Quickly if Something Seems Off
If you notice suspicious activity, call the number on the back of your card right away for support and assistance.
Want more tips? Click here for details on fraud prevention tools available to you.
Terms & Conditions
1 Zero Liability applies to your purchases made with your credit card in the store, over the telephone, online or via a mobile device. As a cardholder, you will not be held responsible for unauthorized transactions if:
If you believe there has been unauthorized use on your account and you meet the conditions above, you are protected by Zero Liability.
2 Balance Protection Elite Creditor’s Group Insurance is optional and is underwritten by Co-operators Life Insurance Company and administered by Collabria Financial Services Inc. Supporting services, such as claims administration, are provided by the employees of CUMIS Services Incorporated, a subsidiary of Co-operators Life Insurance Company.
Collabria Financial Services Inc. (“Collabria”) is an independent entity from your credit union with no ownership interest in the other. If you choose to obtain Collabria credit card services through a referral from your credit union, it will receive compensation from Collabria.