We hope our clients and friends of the firm had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday weekend. For many, the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season of shopping. And for online thieves, it is the season to steal the personal information of shoppers, particularly with the high volume of online transactions.

The Internal Revenue Service recently provided guidance to taxpayers on how to take simple steps to protect their identities, financial accounts, computers and mobile devices while shopping online. Here is an overview:

  • Shop at sites where the web address begins “https;” the “s” stands for secure communications over the computer network. This is an added layer of protection when sharing credit card numbers for a purchase. Note: scam sites also can use “https,” so shoppers should ensure they are shopping with a legitimate retailer.
  • Never shop or perform banking activities on unsecured public wi-fi. This helps to prevent thieves from eavesdropping. Instead, use secure home wi-fi with a password.
  • Use security software for computers and mobile phones, and keep it updated. Make sure anti-virus software has a feature to stop malware and there is a firewall that can prevent intrusions.
  • Do not provide your personal information. Phishing scams, imposter emails, calls and texts are the number one way thieves steal personal data.
  • Do not open links or attachments on suspicious emails.
  • Use strong, unique, yet easily remembered passwords are safest for online accounts.
  • Use two-factor authentication whenever possible. Many email providers and social media sites offer this feature to help prevent thieves from easily hacking accounts.

We hope this information helps you to have a safe, online shopping experience so you can enjoy the many gifts of the season. To read the full article published by the IRS, please click here .  


As always, i f you have any questions, please reach out to a QRGA team member by calling (781) 551-0040 and be sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn so we can continue to keep you up-to-date on news and information that can help you be successful. For more information and to read our latest newsletter, be sure to visit our website by clicking the green button below.