Cyber-Shopping Safety Tips
FBI Issues Online Safety Tips for “Cyber Monday,” Holiday Season
There are some things you should know before shopping online. The FBI’s got some tips to keep consumers from “getting grinched.”
“Cyber Monday,” Black Friday’s online counterpart, is upon us and the FBI’s got some tips for consumers for safe cyber shopping for the holiday season.
First, know who you’re buying from. Make sure the company is legitimate and reputable. Don’t judge solely by the website. Check for a physical address and working phone number, and check consumer websites for information on the company.
Second, make sure the website has a secure system for receiving your credit card information. A tiny padlock icon denotes a higher level of security, but it is not a guarantee. Be sure to check the site’s security or encryption software.
Finally, be very cautious when responding to special offers or participating in online auctions. Pay especially close attention when receiving offers from unsolicited emails and from outside of the country. Read the fine print when participating in an online auction. Learn as much as possible before you bid about how the auction works, what your responsibilities are, the obligations of the seller, and what happens if a problem occurs. Learn as much as possible about the seller, and never give out your Social Security number or driver’s license number.
Finally, make sure your computer has a firewall and the latest virus protection software. Never open unknown email attachments, including recent scam emails that appear to come from the FBI.
If you think you’ve been scammed, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, which is run by the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Medford Police. You should also file a complaint with the retailer.
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