1. Use
Familiar Websites
Start at a
trusted site rather than shopping with a search engine. Search results can be
rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages
of links. If you know the site, chances are it's less likely to be a rip off.
We all know Amazon.com and that it carries everything under the sun; likewise,
just about every major retail outlet has an online store, from Target to Best
Buy to Home Depot. Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level
domain (.net instead of .com, for example)—those are the oldest tricks in the
book. Yes, the sales on these sites might look enticing, but that's how they
trick you into giving up your info.
2. Look for
the Lock
Never ever,
ever buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn't have
SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed—at the very least. You'll know
if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS://
(instead of just HTTP://). An icon of a locked padlock will appear, typically
in the status bar at the bottom of your web browser, or right next to the URL
in the address bar. It depends on your browser.
Never, ever
give anyone your credit card over email. Ever.
3. Don't
Tell All
No online
shopping store needs your social security number or your birthday to do
business. However, if crooks get them, combined with your credit card number
for purchases, they can do a lot of damage. The more they know, the easier it
is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up the least amount
of information.
4. Check
Statements
Don't wait
for your bill to come at the end of the month. Go online regularly during the
holiday season and look at electronic statements for your credit card, debit
card, and checking accounts. Make sure you don't see any fraudulent charges,
even originating from sites like PayPal. (After all, there's more than one way
to get to your money.)
If you do
see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. In the
case of credit cards, pay the bill only once you know all your charges are
accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems,
however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.
5. Inoculate Your PC
Swindlers
don't just sit around waiting for you to give them data; sometimes they give
you a little something extra to help things along. You need to protect against
malware with regular updates to your anti-virus program. PCMag recommends
Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus (4.5 stars, Editors' Choice, $39.95 direct),
which has extras to help fight ID theft, or at the very least the free Ad-Aware
Free Internet Security 9.0 (4.5 stars, Editors' Choice).
6. Use
Strong Passwords
We like to
beat this dead horse about making sure to utilize uncrackable passwords, but
it's never more important than when banking and shopping online. Our tips for
creating a unique password can come in handy during a time of year when
shopping around probably means creating new accounts on all sorts of e-commerce
sites.
7. Think
Mobile
The
National Retail Federation says that 5.7 percent of adults will use their
mobile devices to do comparison shopping before making a purchase. (And 32.1
percent will comparison shop online with a computer, as well.) There's no real
need to be any more nervous about shopping on a mobile device than online. The
trick is to use apps provided directly by the retailers, like Amazon, Target,
etc. Use the apps to find what you want and then make the purchase directly,
without going to the store or the website. (For more complete information, be
sure to also read our tips for shopping safely on a mobile device.)
8. Avoid
Public Terminals
Hopefully
we don't have to tell you it's a bad idea to use a public computer to make
purchases, but we still will. If you do, just remember to log out every time
you use a public terminal, even if you were just checking email.
What about
using your own laptop to shop while you're out? It's one thing to hand over a
credit card to get swiped at the checkout, but when you must enter the number
and expiration date on a website while sitting in a public cafe, you're giving
an over-the-shoulder snooper plenty of time to see the goods. At the very
least, think like a gangster: Sit in the back, facing the door.
9.
Privatize Your Wi-Fi
If you do
decide to go out with the laptop to shop, you'll need a Wi-Fi connection. Only
use the wireless if you access the Web over a virtual private network (VPN)
connection. If you don't get one from your employer, you can set up a free one
with AnchorFree Hotspot Shield, if you're willing to put up with the ads, or
pay $4.99 a month or $44.99 a year to skip the ads. There's even an iOS app
version of Hotspot Shield, but that will cost you $.99 per month or $9.99 a
year after the first seven days.
By the way,
now is not a good time to try out a hotspot you're unfamiliar with. Stick to
known networks, even if they're free, like those found at Starbucks or Barnes
& Noble stores that is powered by AT&T. Look for the network named
"attwifi," then open a browser to click into the "walled
garden" to get final access. You can also find free Wi-Fi at McDonalds,
Panera Bread, and FedEx Office locations, not to mention libraries and local
cafes.
10. Count
the Cards
Gift cards
are the most requested holiday gift every year, and this year will be no
exception. Stick to the source when you buy one; scammers like to auction off
gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.
11. Know
What's Too Good to Be True
Once again,
McAfee has compiled a Twelve Scams of Christmas list, all things to be aware of
while shopping. The "coupon scam" offers of a free product with
purchase, in particular an iPad (a very coveted gadget at any holiday) or even
holiday job offers. Many of these "offers" will come in via social
media. Beware even of your friends, who might innocently forward such a thing.
Be very wary even if you get a message from friend claiming he or she has been
robbed, especially a friend overseas looking for money to be wire transferred,
unless you absolutely can confirm it by talking to him or her personally.
Skepticism in most cases can go a long way toward saving you from a stolen card
number.
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