Shopping is now easier than ever. You can find pretty much anything you’re looking for online, often with free shipping. Unfortunately, it is also easier than ever for cyber-criminals to trick shoppers into online scams. Stay safe while shopping this year by following the tips below.
- Stick with big name and reputable retailers. During the holiday season, you may see deals for popular products on “third-party” websites. While those deals may be enticing, it’s best to order directly from reputable retail sites instead.
- Only shop on secure websites. Criminals often create fake websites with too-good-to-be-true deals, trying to lure consumers into giving away their credit card and other personal information.
- Be vigilant. Holiday scams aren’t always obvious. While time-sensitive deals can make holiday shopping frantic, try to take your time while sifting through deals online to make sure you don’t engage with any suspicious links or websites.
- Use credit instead of debit cards. If your card information is compromised, it will be easier to sort out with your bank and get your money back if it’s a credit account instead of debit.
Stay safe, and happy shopping!