 TITLE: Safe Online Shopping for the Holidays and Beyond CONTENT: Let the Best Card Win\n---------------------\nYou can use credit or debit when shopping online, but be aware that there are differences.\n*   **Credit cards have an edge** **over debit for online shopping.** Although fraudulent charges made on your debit card may be reversed, using a credit card is one way to avoid your bank account being depleted while you wait for the bank to investigate and reimburse you. Commonly, fraud protections are more stringent with credit cards, with many card issuers going as far as offering $0 fraud liability. If you don't want to run up a big balance on your credit card, consider loading up a prepaid card and using it instead.\n*   **If you must use debit, consider checking out with PayPal.** Using PayPal Checkout lets you avoid entering card information on a retailer's site. PayPal provides a gateway between your information and the merchant, so they don't see—or store—your personal financial data.\nMonitor Your Credit and Identity\n--------------------------------\nKeep a close eye on your credit to make sure nothing suspicious is happening—during and after the holidays. Identity thieves may try to run up fraudulent charges on your existing accounts or open new accounts in your name and run up a balance they leave for you to deal with.\n*   **Set up free credit monitoring.** Free credit monitoring with Experian lets you access your regularly updated credit score and report, and can alert you when changes occur to your credit file. This may be especially helpful during the busy, fraught holiday season, but it's also a good idea throughout the year. You'll spot potential problems with your credit file quickly and be able to address them more quickly.\n*   **Report suspicious activity or identity theft.** If you think you are the victim of identity theft, contact the card issuer or bank directly using the number listed on the back of your card. You may also want to file a report with the FTC, notify credit bureaus and place a lock on your credit. Getting identity theft protection now can help you navigate this process if you ever need to.\nBe Secure During the Holidays and Beyond\n----------------------------------------\nThe holidays don't have to be prime time for identity theft. And being mindful of security is a good idea at any time of year. By maintaining basic cybersecurity, being wary of social scams, choosing and using the most secure payment cards, and monitoring your credit and identity, you can go a long way toward keeping ID theft at bay—during the holidays and throughout the year. END