November 25, 2025

Connecticut State Regulators Offer Online Safety Tips to Consumers While Holiday Shopping

Departments of Banking and Consumer Protection Remind Consumers to be On Guard to Avoid Scams During the Holiday Season

This alert was issued jointly with the Department of Consumer Protection.

Hartford, Conn. — This time of year is considered the season for giving, but for con artists, this is their prime season for taking.  The Connecticut Department of Banking and the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection are offering important tips to consumers to help avoid common scams while shopping online. 

Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez advises, "From confirming appointments via text or email, to making online purchases, we share our personal information online so often that it can be easy to let our guard down. The key is to be diligent and take precautions to ensure our financial information is protected.  Do your research before making an online purchase or responding to a text or email, to ensure you are communicating with a legitimate source.  A few extra steps will go a long way in protecting you and your money.”

"Scammers deserve coal in their stocking, not your hard-earned money or your precious personal information," said Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli. “So when you're shopping this holiday season, take a few extra minutes to verify the retailer you're shopping with is legitimate, don't be lured by those pesky pop-up ads, and trust your gut. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is."

Latest scams to avoid this holiday season:

• Package delivery – A text or email that appears to come from a delivery service stating your package can’t be delivered unless you click a link or pay a fee.  If you made an online purchase, read your confirmation email and track your package through the official source.
• Social media advertisements - Many of these ads are “look-alike” sites that impersonate legitimate retailers.  Your best bet is to open a separate, secure browser and find that retailer’s website yourself. 
• Deals that are too good to be true – Think twice if you find a great deal on an item that cannot be found on other sites.  Before making a purchase, type the company's name into a search engine with terms like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.”  Always stick to reputable sites.
• “Phishing” emails or text messages - Question any unsolicited emails or text messages that direct you to click links. Texts from strange phone numbers or emails from unknown email addresses are sure signs of scams, as well as unusual payment methods, such as payment by gift cards or cryptocurrency.
• Charity fraud – A solicitation that appears to be legitimate, counting on your spirit of giving.  Be sure to research any charity before donating.

Keep these tips in mind to avoid fraud and shopping scams:

• Check the URL - Make sure the website uses encryption to protect your information during your transaction. Look for https at the beginning of the URL. The ‘s’ after http means the site is encrypted. 
• Check your credit card and bank statements - If you discover any charges you did not make, contact your financial institution immediately. Under federal law, you may dispute unauthorized charges to your credit card in writing, and you are only responsible for unauthorized charges to $50. 
• Review the return policy - Before you make any purchases, check the refund and return policies, the item’s availability, and the total cost before you place your order.
• Keep records - Keep your order confirmation, receipt, tracking number, as well as all email, text messages, or other communications you have with the company.

It is important to ensure your device is secure:

• Keep your software up to date.  Install all software updates, including security patches that protect your device from malware.  
• Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security.
• Avoid using public networks or free Wi-Fi for online purchases.

For questions or concerns regarding financial scams or fraud, you may contact the Department of Banking’s Consumer Affairs Division, at 860-240-8170 or banking.complaints@ct.gov or file online at ct.gov/dob. 

If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam, purchased a product that was misrepresented, or have done business with someone who didn’t fulfill their contract, you may file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Protection by emailing dcp.complaints@ct.gov or file online at ct.gov/dcp.

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Media Contacts:

Department of Banking Media Contact
Matt Smith
matthew.smith@ct.gov
203-996-1241 (cell)

Department of Consumer Protection Media Contact
Kaitlyn Krasselt
kaitlyn.krasselt@ct.gov 
860-713-6019 (office) 
860-377-0246 (cell)