The holiday season is here, which means many Americans will start shopping for gifts online. But e-commerce is not without its own risks. In 2022, the FBI reported there were more than 800,000 filed complaints of cybercrime resulting in more than $10 billion in losses.

“The dangers associated with online shopping during the holidays are very real,” said Dan Flynn, managing director of branch operations, AAA East Central. “Fortunately, if consumers remain diligent and take extra steps to stay safe, they can cybershop this season with confidence.”

One tip to help avoid scams is to se a credit card, not a debit card. A debit card is a direct line to cash. If hackers gain access to a debit card, they can swiftly empty bank accounts. Depending on when the crime is discovered and reported, cardholders could be liable for $500 or more of the stolen funds. Fraudulent credit card charges, on the other hand, incur less liability. They’ll typically be refunded in full.

Another tip is to shield all financial data. Don’t let your browser or an e-commerce site save credit card information. While it may be annoying to re-enter payment details at every purchase, that extra work offers card protection if the site - or personal computer - is ever breached. If possible, use a single credit card for all online purchases to make it easier to monitor for unauthorized charges.

For more tips, go to AAA.com/IDTheft.