There’s little doubt that using the Internet to gift shop (chocolate is ALWAYS welcome!), make dinner reservations or arrange flower and chocolate delivery has made looking for love a little easier leading up to Valentine’s Day.  Online dating services may even make it easier to find someone to shower with these gifts.

But, if you’re looking to sway your sweetheart via the world-wide web, you should also be aware that online scammers are looking to romance your bank account and personal information at your expense.

Verizon’s security software partner McAfee is predicting that the lovers’ holiday themed email spam will quadruple worldwide as we get closer to Feb. 14^th. 

Call it Cyber Monday or Black Monday; it’s that Monday after Thanksgiving when retailers and online outlets offer incentives for shopping online.  What may have been only a trend a few years ago has become a holiday-shopping tradition for many Americans.  Whether it’s free shipping or discount coupons, the online offers can make the life of time-strapped shoppers easier and more rewarding.  And you won’t even have to get out of your pajamas!  Luckily, with Verizon technology, you’ll have lightning-fast access to online retailers so you won’t miss out on any holiday deals.

This year, we want to be sure you’re prepared all season long to make smart and safe decisions while using your PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet to find the best holiday bargains.  Make your mantra this season “Prepare, Prevent, Protect” to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.