December 2, 2025 -The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is advising residents to take precautions when shopping online during the holiday season, citing an increased risk of cybercrime as more consumers rely on digital retailers.
IDOR Director David Harris said the weeks surrounding the holidays are among the most active periods for online purchases, making consumers prime targets for fraud attempts. Harris noted that simple preventive measures can help reduce the likelihood of identity theft or financial loss.
IDOR outlined several safety recommendations for Illinois shoppers:
● Use trusted retailers: Consumers are encouraged to shop on websites they recognize and to verify that a retailer provides a physical address and customer service contact information.
● Pay with credit cards: Credit card transactions typically include stronger fraud protections than debit cards or alternative payment methods.
● Verify secure websites: Shoppers should check for “https” at the start of a website address before entering payment information.
● Strengthen passwords and enable multifactor authentication: IDOR recommends using complex, unique passwords for each account and activating multifactor authentication when available.
● Avoid public Wi-Fi: Public networks can expose sensitive data. IDOR suggests using secure home internet connections or trusted mobile hotspots for financial transactions.
● Monitor financial accounts: Residents are advised to review bank and credit card statements frequently and report any unfamiliar charges.
● Protect tax and personal information: The department emphasized that it does not request sensitive information—such as Social Security numbers or bank account details—through email or text unless the individual is already engaged in a secure, established communication with IDOR.
● Watch for delivery and tracking scams: Shoppers are urged not to click on unsolicited tracking links and to verify senders before opening messages related to deliveries.
