Cyber Monday Shoppers Should Safeguard Against Scams
With a record number of shoppers expected this holiday season, and even more people shopping online for Cyber Monday, consumers should pay close attention to the online retailer websites.
Online criminals use a variety of methods to exploit even a seasoned holiday shopper. From online shopping scams, fraudulent emails to phishing and e-card spam campaigns.
Victims of fraud should contact the Federal Trade Commission and submit a complaint form that is on the FTC’s website.
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However, before things get to that level, online shoppers can protect themselves from cyber predators that are anxiously waiting to steal vulnerable personal information in several ways.
The first thing that should be done is to make sure the computer is protected either with a firewall or antivirus software that would protect from malware which allows cyber criminals an access point into personal computers.
The second action is to make sure that the wireless network is indeed a legitimate service. Shoppers should check the Service Set Identifier or SSID before they start shopping.
Moreover, make sure the websites are secure. When consumers send sensitive information over a website they should confirm that the website is SSL - Secure Sockets Layer. Websites that are SSL secure will encrypt sensitive information such as account numbers during the transaction.
It is a good idea for shoppers that are going to use a website that requires an e-mail account to set up one specifically for that reason. Setting up an additional email account is free and would be used only for marketing, newsletters and online shopping. Personal emails and information will not be at risk. There also would not be mass spam emails in a person personal email account.
Lastly, consumers should try to use credit cards rather than debit cards for online buys. Using debit cards online puts checking and saving accounts at risk if the information is compromised. Additionally, many credit cards offer protection for unauthorized purchases while many debit cards do not.
Using these simple tips will go a long way in preventing any additional holiday headaches and can be used for many more Cyber Mondays in the future.
