(NC) Online shopping has become a popular way of shopping, thanks to its speed and convenience. Fraudsters are taking advantage of it, so it’s important to stay vigilant when hunting down deals and searching for the perfect gifts online.

Here are things to keep in mind:

• Use only secure websites when sharing personal or financial information or buying something online. Look for websites with addresses starting with “https” or with a padlock image in the address bar.
• Keep your computer firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware systems up to date.
• Don’t give your credit card information over email.
• Log out of your online banking website as soon as you’re done using it.
• Don’t allow your computer or mobile device to remember your password or banking information, like your account number.
• Don’t use public Wi-Fi or public computers to do your online banking or shopping.
• If you must use a public computer, clear its history and cache when you finish using it.

Remember that you have a role to play in ensuring your online security. By being careful, you can better protect your money, identity and peace of mind. If you have information about online purchase scams, report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Also, contact your bank as soon as possible if you find an unauthorized or suspicious transaction on your credit card or bank account.

Find more tips to protect yourself against fraud at canada.ca/money.