Online shopping can be a lifesaver, especially during the holiday season. No more waiting in line for the latest toy, no more scouring aisles for the perfect gift – with online shopping, you can browse a store’s entire inventory with little more than a search bar, a comfy couch, and a steaming cup of coffee in your lap. Unfortunately, online shopping has a notable downside – the chance for malicious activity and hacking.
Cybercriminals are more savvy than ever, and the holiday season is one of the prime times to take advantage of less savvy online shopping customers. Don’t let the prospect of fraud keep you away from online shopping this year – follow these tips to help protect yourself online.
1. Only Buy from Reputable Sources
Hackers will set up fake shopping sites over the holiday season to nab credit card information. When you complete the checkout process, you’re giving a fraudster everything they need to take your accounts for a joyride. Thankfully, these fake websites are fairly easy to spot. Here are some red flags that might indicate you’re in danger of identity theft:
- A Geocities era design. Tried and true retailers know how to make a website that appeals to customers. If there’s very little visual appeal to a website, it might be an attempt to steal your credit card information.
- Bizarre URLs. RayBans4Cheep.com or BestDealsOnTheNet.com are likely not genuine websites.
- Contact information that doesn’t connect to the website. If you’re buying from Amazon, for example, the contact information should be support@amazon.com, or something similar. A customer service address linked to an email service, like amazonsupport@gmail.com, is more likely to be fraudulent. An exception might be a small or locally owned business, but call before purchasing to confirm it’s the real deal.
- Prices that are too good to be true. If it sounds ridiculously low, then there’s probably something nefarious going on. Use your best judgment, and listen to your gut.
2. Use a Credit Card
Consumers hear repeated warnings about relying too heavily on credit cards, but in this case, a credit card works to your advantage. There’s a simple reason: in the event you encounter fraudulent charges, credit card companies have more safeguards and legal protections in place. After all, you’re spending the bank’s money, not yours.
3. Use a Mobile App to Shop, if Possible
Finally, try shopping on a mobile app whenever possible. Hackers must make dedicated programs to hack each specific app, which is more labor-intensive than simply setting up or infiltrating a website. You’re less likely to encounter malicious activity when shopping from a store’s dedicated application.
By following a few simple tips, you can enjoy a safe and fraud-free holiday shopping season. So curl up on the couch, grab your favorite beverage, and let the online holiday shopping begin!
