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Black Friday heralds in the time for great shopping deals for all kinds of items including household appliances, clothing, and toys galore. But for people who do not want to brave long lines – even to just get into the store – or prefer to shop online, then you can get great deals on Cyber Monday.
Cyber shopping is convenient but it also comes with the risk of cyber threats, reported NBC Boston. Remaining vigilant for scammers whether you shop online or brave the crowds this weekend is vital.
“Just be aware that people are always looking for some of the vulnerabilities we have,” Brendan Goode, chief security officer at Citizens Bank told NBC.
Here are three tips that can help protect you when cyber shopping this holiday season:
Shop on Trusted Websites
Stay safe by shopping on websites you know and trust. If you receive an ad or email, go directly to the retailer's website instead of clicking on links. This time of year, there is a spike in fake ads that take you to unsafe websites, so it is best to be cautious. If you want to view ads, open them on your regular browsers and not on social media like TikTok.
“Understand the risks of certain websites, social media, or other platforms. Always be thoughtful about what you're consuming and validate it. You don’t need to hear it once and then trust it forever,” said Goode.
Check for Security
When you are making online purchases through a major retailer, most have security measures in place to protect your payment information, according to the Citizens Bank website. Many require two-factor authentication. Make sure you enable it on sites you shop at.
A two-factor authentication requires a second way to identify you. This could include a code that was sent via a text message. This helps the retailer ensure that it is you making the purchase and not a scammer.
If you see something that is only available from an online retailer that you have never heard of before, make sure the site is secure before you make a purchase. The address of the site should start with https and not http. Some browsers show a small padlock icon or highlight the address in green to let you know the site is secure.
Also, do not use public wi-fi when you shop and watch out for fake messages from shippers that discuss how to retrieve a lost item ,ask you to confirm shipping details, or tell you there is additional money owed. Never reply to those or click on any links.
Use Your Credit Card and Not Your Debit
It’s important you know how to keep your finances safe from fraud. If you are not making large purchases, it’s best to use something like an Apple Pay. But another way to protect yourself is to use your credit card not your debit card, reported Fox26 Houston.
“So, with your credit card, you have another layer of protection. In other words, the credit card companies will be more flexible to granting those charge backs just in case the merchant doesn't want to accept the return, or two, your credit card was cloned,” tech expert Juan Guevara Torres told Fox.
Online shopping is easy and less risky if you use these safe shopping tips. Make sure to share them with family and friends to ensure that they have a fraud-free online experience.
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