November 30, 2009
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BBB; Protect Yourself When Online Shopping, Pt.2
Check before you click yes.4. Protect your personal information. There has been a rapid growth of websites that have partnered with other companies and selling your credit card information. Take the time to read the small print so that you have a clear understanding of what you are clicking "yes" to. If there is no privacy or terms and conditions to check, this is a red flag. The company could be selling your information. The best action to take is to exit off the site and immediately clear all private data.
5. Trust your instincts. Those great deals and unsolicited e-mails can end up costing you a future. Another growing phenomenon is the phantom stores. These stores advertise brand names at great prices. They lure you in and then steal your credit card information. Again, if the site is unfamiliar check it out at the BBB.
6. Beware of phishing. Some cyber criminals send emails claiming there are problems with an order or an account just to lure individuals to reveal credit card and personal information. Do not respond to these emails and most importantly, do not login to any link in the email. It may look legitimate, but the addresses typically have one small difference that most consumers would not recognize. The BBB recommends that the individual call the firm represented in the email.
7. Confirm your online purchase is secure. There are two things all shoppers should confirm before proceeding to enter your credit card and personal information; look in the address box for the "s" in "https://" and in the lower-right corner for the "lock" symbol before paying. If there are any doubts about a site, BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and selecting "Properties" or "Page Information" to view details on the site.
8. Review banks statements and credit card statements daily. If you are shopping online, you should be viewing your bank and card statements regularly. Under normal circumstances, it is recommended that you view statements weekly; however, in the holiday shopping environment, you should be viewing them daily. Check the statements online and don't wait for paper statements.