Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Government / Consumer Alert: CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of Cyber Monday Fraud When Hunting Deals

Consumer Alert: CFO Jimmy Patronis: Beware of Cyber Monday Fraud When Hunting Deals

Posted on


With Cyber Monday sales skyrocketing to a record $7.9 billion just last year, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis warns all shoppers to beware of Cyber Monday scams.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “This year, online shoppers are projected to spend $143.7 billion nationwide in November and December alone. Cyber Monday provides the perfect environment for cyber criminals because many shoppers guards are down due to their expectation of good deals. We all enjoy the convenience of online and mobile shopping, but it’s important to shop smart. Be alert and verify before you click.”

5 Quick Steps to Protect Yourself from Cyber Monday Scams

  1. Do you know the retailer? Stick to retailers you know and preferably, have shopped with before.
  2. Have you done your research? If you aren’t familiar with a retailer, always look into them before buying products online. Be diligent in checking customer reviews and review complaints received by the Better Business Bureau.
  3. Does your Wi-Fi connection leave you vulnerable? Avoid connecting to pubic Wi-Fi while making any purchases—this can give hackers access to your transactions.
  4. Is this website secure? Always check a website’s security using several tricks: Look for a URL that begins with “https.” That “s” indicates that the website is more secure. Also check for the lock icon next to the web address on your browser.
  5. Could this be a coupon scam? Online retailers often offer coupons on Cyber Monday, and scammers may copy this method in hopes of tricking consumers into providing financial information to use their fake discount code or gift card.

About CFO Jimmy Patronis  
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).