Top Strategies For Safe Online Shopping: A Cyber Monday Survival Guide
Online shopping has become increasingly popular, especially during events like Cyber Monday when retailers offer enticing deals and discounts. However, it is important to remain cautious and vigilant to protect yourself from falling victim to online scams. To ensure a safe and secure online shopping experience this Cyber Monday, consider the following top strategies:
Of course, as the popularity of Cyber Monday has grown and the deals have become bigger and better, the risks of shopping online have also increased.
As we approach Cyber Monday, it is important to stay vigilant to protect yourself and your family from online scams.
As you make your online purchases, stay vigilant by following these simple Cyber Monday safety tips.
1. Shop from reputable websites: Stick to well-known and trusted online retailers that have a proven track record of delivering quality products and services. Avoid unfamiliar or suspicious websites that may be designed solely to scam unsuspecting shoppers.
In continuation with the previous point, scammers also set up websites that resemble those run by trusted retailers or brands.
Avoid phishing scams by ignoring suspicious correspondence and calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
2. Use secure payment methods: When making a purchase, opt for secure payment methods such as credit cards or reputable digital payment platforms like PayPal. These options often provide buyer protection in case of any fraudulent activity.
Only purchase if you are certain you are buying from a reputable website and make sure to use a secure payment method.
3. Look for the padlock symbol: Before entering any personal or financial information on a website, check if there is a padlock symbol in the browser’s address bar. This indicates that the connection between your device and the website is encrypted, protecting your data from potential hackers.
To ensure you are on a secure site, look for HTTPS (not HTTP) and a padlock symbol near the URL in the address bar as shown in the image below.
There are thousands of websites out there that provide false information and might redirect you to malicious links, giving hackers access to your most valuable data.
4. Be cautious with personal information: Be wary of websites that ask for excessive personal information beyond what is necessary for the transaction. Avoid sharing sensitive details like your social security number or driver’s license, passport details or unless absolutely required.
This will help you avoid non-secure websites and pop-up phishing scams and help keep your personal information safe.
Do not share personal information like your bank account number, Social Security number, or date of birth, unnecessarily.
5. Keep software up to date: Ensure that your device’s operating system, antivirus software, and web browsers are updated with the latest security patches and updates. Regularly updating your software helps protect against known vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit.
Software updates are often released to help improve security and fight new attacks that are being developed constantly.
Using old software actually makes your devices less secure, giving hackers the opportunity to exploit vulnerabilities in such old software.
6. Beware of phishing attempts: Phishing emails or messages are designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information by mimicking legitimate organizations or retailers. Be cautious of unsolicited emails asking for personal details or urging immediate action — always verify their legitimacy before responding or clicking on any links.
You are urged not to click on any links in those emails or text message as they could be filled with viruses or scams.
In this scam, fraudsters send fake phishing emails and texts disguised as these messages, but claiming there is an issue with your order.
7. Read reviews and ratings: Prioritize products with positive reviews from verified customers when making purchasing decisions online. Real user feedback can provide insights into the quality and authenticity of the product, as well as the reliability of the seller.
Check their BBB Business Profile on BBB.org, review the rating, and read customer reviews.
8. Compare prices: While Cyber Monday offers great deals, it’s essential to compare prices across different websites before making a purchase. Some scammers may try to deceive shoppers by offering fake discounts or inflating original prices.
This will focus your mind on what to look out for and also help you to compare prices on those specific items ahead of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
But cybercriminals will prey on shoppers desire for the lowest prices and will try to slip in a lot of fake deals.
9. Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers: If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Exercise caution when encountering excessively low prices or unrealistic promises, as they may be indicators of scams or counterfeit products.
If a company sells the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is.
For example, while an online scam targeting minors is going to promise trips to Disneyland or cool toys, scams aimed at seniors are more likely to offer discount drugs and low-cost insurance.
10. Check return policies and warranties: Before finalizing your purchase, review the retailer’s return policy and warranty information. Reputable sellers typically offer clear guidelines for returns, exchanges, and refunds — ensuring that you have recourse if you encounter any issues with your purchase.
That makes now a perfect time for merchants to ensure their shipping and returns policies are up-to-date, easy-to-understand, and readily visible on their websites.
Plus, with PayPal, you are backed up with their Buyers Protection allowing you to file a dispute through PayPal in order to get a refund if your purchase does not arrive or is significantly different from what was advertised.
By following these top strategies for safe online shopping this Cyber Monday, you can protect yourself from falling victim to online scams and enjoy a secure shopping experience from the comfort of your own home. Remember to stay vigilant and trust your instincts when encountering suspicious websites or deals — it’s better to be safe than sorry!
