Safety Tips for Online Holiday Shopping

With just over two months left until Christmas, many people are already thinking about holiday shopping. In 2010, more than $36 billion dollars was spent in online shopping over the holiday season and this year, it’s expected billions will be spent again in online shopping. However, before parents log online and start spreading the holiday cheer this season, there are some simple and easy tips for you and your entire family this shopping season.

1. Use a credit card - with common sense. Never give out information to an individual who claims to be contacting you from a certain company without verifying their identity. Always make sure you are keeping track of the charges as they pop up on your statement and be sure to track for any fraudulent charges and transactions.

2. Use a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards offer buyer protection against fraud and other issues and debit cards can offer a direct line into your bank account, meaning the scammer can deplete all your personal on-hand funds immediately.

3. Be aware of phishing websites. These are websites that are set up to look exactly like popular online retailers, although the URL will be a bit different. These sites are called, “phishing” sites and are set up to steal your information. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox both have the ability to check for phishing websites.

4. Ignore pop-up messages while on shopping sites. Never click on a pop-up, make sure you set up your browser to block pop-up messages.

5. Talk to your kids about online shopping. Your children may be old enough to do some shopping of their own online, and make sure if they plan to log online, they understand the dangers of doing so. Suggest they never do so alone by having a responsible adult with them at all times. Also, make sure they are responsible with the internet before allowing them to shop online.

6. Choose your merchants carefully. Make sure you are buying from names you know and trust. Confirm the retailer actually exists by confirming the address and phone number in case you need to contact them if you have questions or concerns.

7. Know what you are buying and the terms of the deal. Make sure you are fully aware of refund policies and delivery dates. You don’t want to be stuck with something you can’t return and also don’t want to find out your friend or family member won’t be getting their gift on time.

Finding the perfect gift should be fun and enjoyable! Taking the time to prevent you and your family from becoming a statistic, will go a long way to ensuring your holiday season will be a holly-jolly Christmas.