Be Thankful… But Also Watchful
As we gather with family and friends this Thanksgiving, it’s the perfect time to express gratitude—and also to stay alert. Cybercriminals don’t take the holidays off. In fact, they often ramp up attacks when people are distracted, shopping, or away from work.
Whether you're browsing holiday deals, checking email on your phone, or sharing updates on social media, here’s how to keep your digital life secure this season.

1. Beware of “Gobble Up the Deal” Scams
   Black Friday and Cyber Monday are magnets for phishing scams. If a deal looks too good to be true—it probably is. Watch for:

• Emails or texts urging you to act immediately

• Fake shipping updates or “order confirmations” from unfamiliar retailers

• Links that don’t match legitimate store URLs (hover to check!)

Tip: Always go directly to a retailer’s website instead of clicking on links in promotional emails.

2. Don’t Serve Up Your Personal Info
   Hackers feast on personal data this time of year. Be cautious when:

• Filling out online forms for contests or giveaways

• Donating to unfamiliar “charities”

• Clicking social media quizzes (e.g., “What’s your Thanksgiving personality?”)

Tip: Use strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing login info across sites.

3. Give Thanks for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   Enable MFA wherever possible—email, banking, shopping apps, social platforms. That extra step is one of the most effective ways to prevent account takeovers.
4. Traveling? Secure Before You Stuff the Suitcase
   If you’re heading out of town:

• Update your devices and apps before traveling

• Avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions

• Use a VPN when connecting away from home

5. Practice Gratitude… and Good Cyber Hygiene
   Take a moment this season to:

• Check your privacy settings 

• Review your passwords

• Talk to family—especially kids or seniors—about spotting online scams

A little awareness goes a long way.

Final Reminder
Cybercriminals love the holidays because we tend to lower our guard. Let’s make sure this season is full of joy—and not headaches from identity theft or fraud. 

From all of us at First Hawaiian Bank, have a safe and cyber-smart Thanksgiving!