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Holiday Deals or Steals? Avoiding Online Shopping Scams

Nov 19, 2025 at 2:00pm-3:00pm
Virtual
Hosted by National Cybersecurity Alliance
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Drawing of woman in winter coat and hat holding a tablet displaying "90% off"

From pumpkin spice to peppermint mochas, the holiday season is in full swing - and so are online scammers hoping to steal your cheer (and your cash). As we gear up for gift giving, travel, and end-of-year deals, it’s the perfect time to brush up on safe online shopping habits.

Scammers love the holidays as much as we do, just for very different reasons. As online shopping surges, so do fake websites, fraudulent ads, and too-good-to-be-true deals across social media. Join us for a practical session on how to spot the red flags, verify legitimate sellers, and protect your money and personal information. Learn what to watch for when shopping on social platforms, through unfamiliar websites, or when snagging those limited-time “holiday deals.”

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • The most common online shopping scams circulating this holiday season.
  • Quick ways to verify if a deal, ad, or seller is legitimate.
  • Simple security habits to protect your personal and financial information.

Speakers

  • Melanie McGovern is the Director of Public Relations & Social Media for the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. With over two decades of experience in journalism, communications and 11 years with BBB, Melanie is a dynamic leader known for her expertise in media relations, crisis communications, content strategy, and consumer education.

  • Lisa Plaggemier is Executive Director at the National Cybersecurity Alliance. She is on a mission to empower people and organizations to stay safe online, so that everyone can experience the benefits of technology without worry. Lisa started her career in marketing with Ford Motor Company before migrating to automotive technology and eventually security.  Lisa is honored to serve on the US Secret Service Cyber Investigations Advisory Board. She is a University of Michigan graduate (Go Blue!) and while she wasn’t born in Austin, Texas, she got there as fast as she could.