Be Cart Smart: Shop Safely This Holiday Season

Holiday shopping is here—along with long gift lists, limited-time deals, and lots of package tracking. It is also a busy season for scammers. Before you click, pay, or share personal information, take a quick pause and make sure the offer is real.

At Wright-Patt Credit Union^® (WPCU^®), we want your money going toward meaningful moments—not fraud. Use this quick checklist to help protect yourself and shop with confidence this holiday season.

Spotting Fake Stores and Deep-Discount Scams

Holiday deals show up everywhere—social media, search results, email, and text messages. Some are real. Others lead to fake online stores built to steal payment details and personal information.

• Question unusually low prices: If a popular item is sold out everywhere but available on an unfamiliar site for much less, pause before you buy.

• Look past the logo: Scammers can copy logos, product photos, and branding from real retailers. Check the website address for misspellings, extra words, or endings that do not match the official site.

• Check how to contact the seller: Real retailers usually share clear customer service options and return policies. They also typically use official domain emails (like [email protected]) instead of free services like Gmail or Yahoo. If you only see a generic form or free email address, shop somewhere else. 

Paying Safely: Choose the Right Payment Method

Your payment method matters. If something goes wrong, the right payment choice can give you more options to dispute a charge or recover your money.

• Use a credit card or secure wallet when you can: Credit cards and secure digital wallets, such as Apple Pay^® or Google Pay^®, can add protection and may make it easier to dispute a charge.

• Save P2P apps for people you know: Services like Zelle^®, Venmo^®, and Cash App^® are best for sending money to friends, family, and people you trust. If an online seller asks for P2P payment, a wire transfer, or gift cards, treat it as a red flag.

• Be careful with direct access to your checking account: Your WPCU debit card includes important security features, but a credit card can add separation between an unfamiliar seller and your primary checking account.

Watch Out for Fake Delivery Notifications

After you buy, scammers may try to catch you while you are waiting for packages to arrive. Fake delivery texts are common during the holidays.

The message may say your package cannot be delivered because of an address issue, unpaid fee, or missing delivery preference. It may also include a link to a fake carrier website that asks for payment or login information.

• Do not click unknown tracking links: If a text looks suspicious or comes from an unknown number, skip the link.

• Track packages from the source: Go directly to the retailer’s website or the carrier’s official app or website. Enter your tracking number there.

Shop Confidently, Stay Protected

Shopping safely does not mean missing out on the fun. It just means slowing down long enough to spot warning signs. Check the website, choose a secure payment method, and avoid suspicious texts so you can shop with more confidence.

WPCU is always in your corner. If you see a suspicious charge on your WPCU card or think your account information may have been compromised, contact us right away. We are here to help. 

For timely fraud alerts, helpful guidance, and practical tips to protect what matters, visit WPCU.coop/StopFraud.