10 Tips for Safe Online Holiday Shopping

Home Computing Tip-of-the-Month:  

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, it's important to implement safe buying practices when you are shopping online. Today's technology creates an environment for ultra-safe shopping; however, there are a few scams to be aware of that could cost you in the end. We've put together our list of the top 10 tips for safe online shopping.

1. Arm your computer — Make sure your computer has the most recent updates for spam filters, virus software, and malware removal programs.
   
   
2. Shop on trusted websites — The first place to start is to check the seller's reputation. Look for the BBB seal and other signs of credibility, such as ratings online, SSL encryption, and a money-back guarantee.
   
   
3. Protect your personal information — The BBB recommends that you take the time to read the website's privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested from you. If there is no privacy policy found, that should be a red flag to you.
   
   
4. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true — If an offer on a website or through an email sent to you sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Beware of false advertisements and deals that no other website seems to be even close to offering. In the end, consumers who fall victim to these scams end up paying the price in identity theft.
   
   
5. Beware of "phishing" schemes — Legitimate businesses will not send you an email asking you to confirm your contact or payment information once your order is placed. PayPal is a big target for these types of scams. We recommend that you call the contact number on the website you ordered from in the event that you receive an email like this.
   
   
6. Look for SSL Encryption — Always check the bottom right corner of your web browser when you are on a page that is asking for any sensitive information. If you do not see a picture of a "lock" then that page is not SSL encrypted and we do not recommend you proceed.
   
   
7. Use your credit card— Federal law has very strict policies in place to protect consumers when they use a credit card to make a purchase. You should never wire money to any business.
   
   
8. Keep a copy of your order documentation — We recommend that you always print the confirmation page that is shown to you after you place your order. You will need this information as proof of your order in the event that the item does not arrive, arrives damaged, or not as described. Your credit card company will request a copy of this receipt to fight on your behalf.
   
   
9. Make it a habit to check your credit card statements often— Log into your credit card and bank accounts each week to check each transaction that posts to your account. This is especially important after you make a purchase online to verify that no un-authorized transactions are posting.
   
   
10. Understand your rights — There is a Federal law in place that requires orders placed by mail, phone or online to be shipped within 30 days of the date of purchase. If the goods are not shipped in time, you are entitled to a full refund. You also have the right to reject merchandise when it arrives. If you accept the merchandise then you are bound by the company's policies that govern the accepted transaction.