Holiday scams cost people more than $309 million last year, and credit card fraud added another $173 million in losses. This year, the FBI urges all Missourians to be on the lookout for holiday scams and not fall for them.

The FBI says Holiday scams include non-delivery scams, in which you pay for goods and services online but don't receive the items; non-payment scams, in which you ship purchased goods or services but never receive payment; auction fraud, in which a product you purchased was misrepresented on an auction site; and gift card fraud, in which a seller asks you to pay with a pre-paid card.

Engage in Good Online Security Habits

The FBI says practicing good online security habits is the first step in protecting yourself. Don't click suspicious links or attachments in emails, websites, or social media. Additionally, watch for phishing scams that try to get you to click these links and give up personal information like your name, password, or bank account information.

If a company asks you to update a password or account information, find the company's contact information on your own (not on whatever was sent to you) and call them to ensure the request is legitimate.

Pay Attention and Do Your Research

Whether buying or selling something online, you'll want to pay attention and research. Make sure website URLs contain https in the address; if they don't, don't enter your information on that site. Also, research the website you're buying from and check reviews.

If you're on an auction site like eBay or a crafting site like Etsy, verify the seller's legitimacy and check out their feedback ratings. Be wary of buyers and sellers with mostly unfavorable feedback ratings or no ratings at all.

Be cautious of sellers who act as authorized dealers or factory representatives of popular items in countries where there would be no such deals, those who post an ad or auction as if they reside in the U.S. but then respond to questions by stating they are out of the country on business, family, emergency, or similar situations, and avoid buyers who request their purchase be shipped using specific methods to avoid customs or taxes inside another country.

Be Careful How You Pay and Monitor Shipping

Never wire money directly to the seller, and avoid paying for items with pre-paid gift cards, especially if the seller asks you to do so. The scammer often winds up with the money, and the buyer never receives the item.

Use a credit card when shopping online and check your statement regularly. Contact your credit card company to dispute the change if you see a suspicious transaction.

Finally, when buying online, always get tracking numbers for shipping so you can follow the shipping and delivery process. When selling online, be suspicious of any credit card purchase where the cardholder's address doesn't match the shipping address.

If you follow these tips from the FBI, you'll likely have a fraud-free holiday season.