As the holiday shopping season ramps up, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is reminding residents to take extra precautions when making online purchases. With more Illinoisans turning to the internet for holiday deals each year, officials warn that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting unsuspecting shoppers.
“This is one of the busiest online shopping periods of the year, and cybercriminals are waiting for people to let their guard down,” said IDOR Director David Harris. “Every Illinois shopper can protect themselves with simple precautions and prevent months or even years of financial and personal hardship.”
IDOR offers the following online safety tips for Illinois shoppers:
• Shop with trusted retailers. Use websites you know and verify that the seller has a physical address and customer service contact information.
• Pay with a credit card. Credit cards provide stronger consumer protections than debit cards or alternative payment methods.
• Check for secure websites. Look for “https” in the URL before entering payment details.
• Use strong passwords and enable multifactor authentication. Create unique, complex passwords and activate multifactor authentication whenever available.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases or financial transactions. Public networks are vulnerable; use a secure home connection or trusted mobile hotspot instead.
• Monitor your financial accounts regularly. Review statements frequently and report any suspicious charges promptly.
• Protect your tax and personal information. IDOR will never ask for sensitive data—such as Social Security numbers or bank details—via text or email unless you are already in a verified and secure communication.
• Watch for delivery and tracking scams. Avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages claiming to provide package tracking updates unless you can confirm the source.
“Online safety is essential, and by following these steps, Illinois residents can shop with confidence and protect themselves from fraud,” Harris added. “Staying alert and informed is the best defense against cybercriminals this holiday season.”