Shop Safely This Holiday Season

Keep your information secure with these online shopping safety tips.

The holiday season is upon us and with it comes a busy schedule filled with holiday parties, school concerts, family visits and other fun traditions. Amid all the plans, finding time to gift shop can be difficult.

Online shopping makes finding those perfect holiday gifts fast, easy and convenient, but it is important to avoid fraudulent schemes. Last year, 36% of U.S. citizens fell victim to online shopping scams between Nov 1 – Dec 31. Keep the following online safety tips in mind to protect your information and avoid cons this season:

Shop familiar websites and apps

Stick to sites you know and trust, and always double check the URL for inconsistencies before completing a purchase. If you are unsure about a product, read the reviews and conduct a web search to verify quality and authenticity. Remember, if a price seems too good to be true — it probably is.

Purchase from secure sites only

Don’t enter personal information online without a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption. These websites will begin with “https://” instead of “http://” and show a lock-shaped icon before the address.

Use a credit card

Debit cards provide hackers with direct access to your bank account and should be avoided. The safest way to shop online is to use a credit card or payment services like PayPal. Not only is it easier to dispute unrecognized charges, but many of these companies will catch fraudulent transactions before you do. Set your credit card account to notify you of charges and double check all statements.

Keep track of orders

Take note of what you order, name of the online store, the confirmation number and expected date of arrival. If you receive the wrong item or experience a significant delay in delivery, contact customer service for a refund. Communicating the issue quickly, using the specific transaction details will allow for a better solution.

File complaints immediately

If you find yourself the unfortunate victim of an online shopping scam, do not delay in filing a complaint. Reach out to the seller first. If the issue is not resolved, contact your credit card company, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Texas Attorney General by visiting https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection.