The holiday season brings new shopping habits—but do they put you more at risk?

Oh, the holidays! A time for cheer, a time for joy, a time for ... a whole lot of shopping. As gift lists grow, shoppers are hitting the internet in search of the most popular items, hoping to score the perfect deal along the way. 

According to a recent survey we conducted, 62% of holiday shoppers are willing to do something different to secure high-demand gifts, like buying from unfamiliar sellers or clicking on a social media ad. But before you go ahead, let’s dive into the results of our survey and how we can shop safely without falling for scams.  

How shopping shifts during the holiday season 

Many are going the extra mile to secure those must-have gifts this holiday season, from hunting down discount codes to even paying above market value for popular items. In fact, 36% of shoppers say they’d spend three hours or more browsing online for gifts, while 14% are willing to pay $50 above market value to secure in-demand items.  

Holiday shopping behaviors also change significantly: 43% of consumers report that their behaviors shift during the holidays, and 61% admit they are swayed by holiday sales and deals. While these efforts may help cross gifts off wish lists, they can come at a cost, increasing exposure to scams. 

The risks of holiday shopping habits  

Even though these shopping habits are pretty common, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t risky. From phishing scams to fake discounts, online criminals prey on holiday shoppers’ willingness to grab a deal. In fact, 39% are willing to give their phone number and email for just a 25% or less discount, while only 28% said they’d refuse to share this info at all. 

However, sharing personal data — like email addresses, phone numbers, or a home address—can expose you to significant risks. Scammers treat this data like gold, using it to build profiles on their victims. With little information, they can create phishing email, send malicious texts or send deliveries through fake tracking notifications.  

The more information scammers have, the easier it is to exploit victims through convincing schemes. What may seem like harmless data could lead to financial loss, identity theft or account access.  

As online shopping habits shift during the holidays, people often take more risks than they realize, with scammers becoming highly active during this time of year. Awareness is crucial to avoiding attacks, verifying websites and using secure payment methods can help people protect themselves during the busy shopping season. By staying cautious, everyone can enjoy a safer holiday season. 

6 tips for safe and savvy spending  

The good news? You can still enjoy holiday shopping without compromising your security. Here are a few ways to help protect yourself: 

• Stick to trusted websites. Avoid clicking on unfamiliar ads and shop only from reputable retailers. Use secure payment methods and ensure websites have https:// in the URL to protect your personal information. 

• Use strong, unique passwords. A password manager can help you create and store secure passwords. 

• Watch for phishing emails. Be skeptical of messages claiming you’ve won a deal or need to verify your account. 

• Enable two-factor authentication. Add an extra layer of protection to your shopping accounts. 

• Use cybersecurity software. Install Avast Free Antivirus to block malware and protect your personal data. 

• Secure your Wi-Fi. Make sure your home network is password-protected to prevent unauthorized access. Shop online only from secure networks to safeguard your payment information. 

Stay safe and smart this holiday season 

As holiday shopping picks up, taking proactive steps will help ensure your gifts bring joy—not unnecessary stress. With a little preparation, you can secure the deals you want and avoid falling victim to scams.

Remember, be mindful of too-good-to-be-true offers, double-check sources, and stay cautious when sharing personal information. Stay safe and happy shopping!