10 Safety Tips for Cyber Monday & Online Shopping | Consumer Watch

10 Safety Tips for Shopping on “Cyber Monday” 

Staying at home to avoid Black Friday crowds is a smart idea, but that doesn’t always mean your day will be free of security issues. Scammers are sitting at home as well, trying to reach their hands into the pockets of consumers on Cyber Monday. Here are 10 tips to help keep your email and bank account away from attackers.

1. Consumers should watch out for fake websites that mirror the brands actual site with significant deals and an identical paywall.

2. Before entering your payment information make sure that the URL starts with “https” and that you are on the brand’s official website.

3. Make purchases with a credit card because the consumer protection is far greater than with a debit card.

4. Be on the lookout for an uptick in phishing emails that look like they are coming from one of your trusted brands like your bank or credit card provider. Check the sender of the email before clicking on any links, including the “unsubscribe” button.

5. Never shop or sign into your bank account using public Wi-Fi. Fake hotspots are often setup in busy metropolitan areas to lure consumers into entering their sensitive information.

6. Shopping on your cellphone is convenient, but 3G and 4G networks are more susceptible to hackers than shopping through private Wi-Fi at home on your laptop.

7. Always use Paypal when shopping on Ebay to avoid fraudulent sellers.

8. Contact your bank immediately if you have been taken advantage of by a scam. If you reach your bank before the money has transferred they can stop the transaction.

9. If you do fall victim to a scam find your local consumer protection office here: https://www.usa.gov/state-consumer

10. To fill out a consumer complaint against a company with U.S. authorities visit: https://www.usa.gov/consumer-complaints