What's not so great are the inevitable scams and phishing attempts that happen online. These are something you can count on, like rain in Seattle, and they're something you can handle easily by remembering a few easy pointers.
Key points for online shopping:
- Read the URL - if it doesn't start with "https://", you shouldn't enter any financial or personal information.
- Your financial organizations will never ask you to 'click a link' and log in to deal with any issue. If you receive such an email, open a new browser window, go to your financial institutions website, and check for issues. Contact your bank if you have any concerns at all.
- Read the privacy policy for the websites you use. By using the website, you may be signing up for more than you expect: marketing emails, usage tracking, and storage of your financial information for later use.
- Your Attorney General is your resource for scams and fraud. Visit your Attorney General's website or call them, if you have any questions or concerns.
- Kick off your online shopping season by making sure your computers are protected. Follow the guidelines recommended by your operating system manufacturor (for most of you, that's Windows), and by your anti-virus/computer security.
Reminders for offline shopping
- Look into fraud protection for your credit/bank cards.
- Keep your shopping bags in the trunk where criminals won't see and be tempted.
- Review your purchase history online and verify that charges are appropriate. Follow-up immediately with your financial institution if anything looks amiss.
- Park close to the mall, in well-lit area, and don't be shy about asking for an escort to your car after dark.
- Roads may be bad - take appropriate precautions, and make sure you dress for the weather: Layers! You can leave them in the car, but you'll want them if you get stuck some where.
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