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It seems this year like the hot items are even hotter. Everyone wants hard to get items like the PlayStation 5. Scammers know this too and are looking at using popular items to coax you into coughing up your personal information.
The National Cyber Security Alliance has ways to keep your personal information safe while shopping online..
• Think before you click: Beware of ads encouraging users to click on shipping notifications, account warnings and links. If you receive notice or an enticing offer, do not click on the link. Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify the offer is legitimate.
• Do your homework: There has been a huge spike this year in fake e-commerce sites. Prior to making a purchase, read reviews to hear what others say about the online seller. In addition, look for a physical location and any customer service information. It’s also a good idea to call the seller to confirm that they are legitimate.
• Consider your payment options: Using a credit card is often recommended over a debit card, as there are more consumer protections for credit cards if something goes awry. My own personal extra tip is use a credit card with a low limit or one that requires notification on purchases higher than $100.
• Be careful about what you give away: Be alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete your transaction. If the merchant is requesting more data than you feel comfortable sharing, cancel the transaction. You only need to fill out required fields at checkout and should never save your payment information in your profile.
• Keep tabs on your bank and credit card statements: Be sure to continuously check your accounts for any unauthorized activity. Being watchful of your accounts goes hand-in-hand with managing your cybersecurity.
Happy safe shopping!
