There’s a moment during the holiday season—usually right after I’ve clicked “Place Order” for something totally justified (and mildly extravagant)—when I pause and wonder: Did I just hand my credit card details to a scammer in a festive font?
Sound familiar? Because even as a finance editor, someone who writes and reads about security best practices year-round, I still catch myself letting my guard down during December. We’re busy, we’re distracted, we’re clicking faster than we think. And scammers know it. That’s what makes the holidays such a sweet spot for digital fraud—and such a perfect time to reinforce one simple but powerful habit that keeps your financial life safe year-round.
Why the Holidays Are a Prime Time for Fraud
The holiday season isn’t just peak gifting time—it’s peak grifting time. The FBI consistently warns consumers about the uptick in online fraud between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, especially as more people shop from unfamiliar retailers or click on seasonal “limited-time offers.”
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a record high. And holiday scams, including phony shopping websites and fake delivery texts, made up a substantial share of that.
Why does it work so well? Because during the holidays, we’re multitasking emotionally and financially. The urgency of buying gifts, the influx of emails and texts, and the desire to “get it done” often outweigh our usual caution. Fraudsters count on that mental overload.
The Habit: Lock Your Cards, Not Just Your Doors
Here it is. The one digital security habit I rely on every holiday season (and year-round): I lock my credit and debit cards when I’m not using them.
Not metaphorically. Literally. I use my banking app or credit card app to toggle off the ability to make new charges on my card when I’m not actively making a purchase. Then, when I want to buy something, I unlock the card, complete the transaction, and relock it.
It’s like turning off the lights when you leave a room—except this protects your money.
If someone gets access to your card details (from a skimming device, phishing link, or compromised site), they cannot use them until you turn that card back on. And the best part? It’s free, fast, and completely in your control.
How It Works: Friction as a Security Feature
Most major banks and credit card providers now offer this feature directly in their mobile apps. The “lock card” function doesn’t cancel your card or affect recurring payments; it simply prevents new charges from going through until you unlock it again.
In my case, I’ve set up a routine: I unlock my card when I’m ready to make a purchase, complete it, and lock it again immediately after. It takes 5 seconds and gives me peace of mind, especially when I’m online shopping or using my card in higher-risk environments (traveling, for instance).
This small action adds a layer of friction to your spending. But that’s the point. It creates a natural pause between you and any unauthorized transaction—whether from a scammer or an accidental subscription you forgot to cancel.
Why This Habit Works Especially Well During the Holidays
During December, our inboxes are flooded with flash sales and last-minute deals. It’s easy to act fast, click through emails without checking the sender, or enter card info on a site we’ve never heard of.
Locking your card forces you to stop for a moment and ask: Do I really trust this site? Is this charge legit? That second of hesitation can make all the difference.
Plus, with “card-not-present” fraud on the rise—accounting for over 60% of credit card fraud in the U.S., according to a 2024 Nilson Report—it’s more important than ever to protect your card digitally, not just physically.
What Makes Card Locking So Effective?
- It’s proactive, not reactive. Instead of dealing with fraud after it happens, this stops it before it starts.
- It creates an intentional spending environment. By adding a moment of pause, you reduce both impulsive and accidental spending.
- It’s easy to build into a routine. No extra tools, subscriptions, or complex passwords—just a 2-second tap inside your banking app.
And for those worried about forgetting to unlock it? Most apps let you set push notifications or reminders, and many allow recurring payments (like Netflix) to continue even when locked. It’s designed for convenience, not friction.
Want to Go One Step Further? Add These Smart Moves
Locking your card is the anchor, but pairing it with a few complementary practices can boost your defenses even more. Here's what I layer on:
1. Use a Virtual Card Number
Many credit card issuers (like Capital One, Citi, and American Express) now offer virtual cards for online purchases. These are one-time-use numbers or merchant-specific numbers that link to your actual card but mask it from exposure.
If the virtual number is compromised, it’s useless elsewhere.
2. Turn On Transaction Alerts
Real-time alerts for all card activity may sound excessive—but they let you spot fraud within seconds. And if you do get hit with unauthorized use, the faster you report it, the better your chances of full reimbursement.
According to the FTC, consumers who report fraud within two business days are typically only liable for up to $50 under federal law (and many banks waive this completely).
3. Use Credit Over Debit
Credit cards come with stronger fraud protections than debit cards. When your debit card is compromised, you're dealing with real money that's already left your account. With credit, you're protected by the issuer—and not immediately out-of-pocket.
If you're making high-volume purchases during the holidays, it’s often safer to put them on a credit card (locked when not in use, of course).
Your Money Anchor
- Lock your card after every purchase. A 5-second habit that blocks scammers before they can spend your money.
- Use virtual card numbers online. Keep your real card info hidden and harder to exploit.
- Turn on instant transaction alerts. Stay one step ahead by catching suspicious charges as they happen.
- Prefer credit cards for holiday spending. Get stronger fraud protection—and keep your cash in the bank.
- Pause before checkout. Locking your card builds in a moment to verify the site and protect your data.
Lock It Down, Breathe Easier
Holiday fraud isn’t going anywhere—but neither is your ability to outsmart it. The card-locking habit is small, smart, and deeply effective. And it shifts the balance of power back where it belongs: with you.
You don’t have to overhaul your digital life or become a cybersecurity expert to stay safe. You just need a routine that works for your real life—one that creates intentionality, not overwhelm. Locking your card is that routine. It’s calm, quiet protection in a season that’s already loud enough.
So before you wrap up your next online order or swipe your card at the store, ask yourself: Did I lock it?
If the answer’s yes, you’re already ahead of the scam game. And that’s a holiday win worth celebrating.
