To die-hard shopping fans Black Friday is a fun and challenging experience: the thrill of beating the crowds to find the best deals, and then the satisfaction of coming home with a haul of discounted gadgets, clothing, jewellery and much more.
To others, especially those who hate crowds, Black Friday is an utter nightmare!
Cyber Monday is for shopaholics who would rather stay home than brave the crowds. Cyber Monday was created just over ten years ago as the online alternative to Black Friday. With Cyber Monday, you can stay home and shop to your heart’s content.
But when shopping online, consumers must be careful because there are scammers who are looking to take advantage of unscrupulous shoppers. On Cyber Monday, protect yourself from credit card fraud and identity theft using these simple tips:
Watch Out for Fake Online Stores
Scammers have been known to create fake online stores that advertise too-good-to-be-true deals in order to draw in potential victims. To protect yourself:
- Shop from sites you know and trust.
- Check the domain name. Sometimes fraudsters create exact replicas of well-known sites. Is the domain name spelled correctly? Is it a slight variation of the correct URL?
- If this store is unknown to you, search for reviews of the website. Keep an eye out for words like fraud or scam.
Monitor Your Credit Card Statement
If you do make a purchase from a new site, check your credit card statement in case there has been any suspicious activity. The sooner you report credit card fraud, the better.
Use a Secure Network
Don’t make purchases online when you using public Wi-Fi. Your information could be tracked and logged.
Update Your Device
When you are prompted to update your device, do it. They contain critical security updates that can protect you from the latest threats.
By staying vigilant and mindful as you shop online you can get your hands on those exciting deals without giving up your privacy or personal information.
Happy shopping!