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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Safety Tips for Shopping Online

The holiday shopping season has begun and chances are you will be making some purchases online. It’s important that before clicking the buy button you have taken a few steps to protect your money and your information.

Here are some tips on how you can shop safely online this year.
  • Update and Run Your Anti-Virus Software Before Shopping
    If you’re going to be shopping online this holiday season, update and run your anti-virus software. Doing so helps protect your information and credit card numbers from being stolen by hackers.
  • Check the Sellers Reputation
    If you’re buying from someone you have never done business with before, check their reputation first. Read reviews from other buyers and make sure they are a legitimate seller/company. A little leg work can save you headaches later on.
  • Do Not Handle Transactions via Email
    Never email credit card or other financial/sensitive information.
  • Do Not Pay for Items on Public Computers or Public Wireless
    Public computers may contain malicious software that steals your credit card information when you place your order. Criminals may be monitoring public wireless for credit card numbers and other confidential information.
  • Review Shipping, Returns, and Warranties Policies
    Before buying, review the shipping, product returns, and warranties policies to make sure you are comfortable with them.
  • Print and Save Your Proof of Purchase
    Once you have bought your items, print and file all receipts. Keeping good documentation is important in case something goes wrong with your order.
  • Review Account Statements to Make Sure Charges Are Accurate
    After you make your purchases, review your bank and credit statements to make sure you were charged the correct amount. If there are any errors, dispute it with the seller and your bank right away.