CHICAGO, Ill. (Chambana Today) — As the holiday shopping season begins, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is urging residents to stay alert when shopping online and to take simple steps to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft. With more Illinoisans shopping online each year, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow.

“This is one of the busiest online shopping periods of the year, and cybercriminals are waiting for people to let their guard down,” explained IDOR Director David Harris. “Every Illinois shopper can protect themselves with simple precautions and prevent months or even years of financial and personal hardship.”

• Shop with trusted retailers 

  Stick to websites you know and trust. Make sure the retailer has a physical address and customer service contact information.

• Pay with a credit card

  Credit cards offer stronger consumer protections than debit cards or other payment options.

• Check for secure websites 

  Before entering payment information, look for “https” in the URL.

• Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication

  Create complex, unique passwords for each account and turn on multifactor authentication whenever possible.

• Avoid public Wi-Fi for online shopping or financial transactions

              Public networks can expose your data. Use a secure home network or trusted mobile hotspot instead.

              Review your bank and credit card statements often. Report any suspicious or unfamiliar charges immediately.

              IDOR will never request sensitive personal information—such as your Social Security number or bank details—through email or text message, unless you are already engaged in an established and secure communication with the department.

              Do not click links on emails or texts claiming to provide package tracking unless you can verify the sender.