Thinking of getting gifts for the special women in your life this Mother’s Day? If you’re planning to shop online, there are some smart ways to do it SAFELY. Around holidays, scammers kick into high gear, trying to trick people looking for gifts into giving away their money and info. What used to keep you safe online might not cut it anymore. So, in this article, we’ll share some tips for safe online shopping, including how to pay securely and what scams to watch out for.
How to Shop Online Safely:
Thinking of using your debit card for online shopping? Better think again. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, so if something goes wrong, it can be a real hassle to get your money back. To save yourself from headaches and potential legal trouble, stick to credit cards or third-party payment options.
Credit cards come with fancy fraud monitoring systems that can spot shady stuff happening with your account. Some companies, like Capital One, even offer virtual credit cards for extra security. These generate random numbers for your online purchases, so the actual details of your card stay hidden from sellers. Plus, you can easily turn them off if you don’t need them anymore.
Third-party payment services like PayPal are also a good bet. They keep your payment info private from the seller, which adds another layer of security.
Top Tips for Online Shopping:
Using a credit card or third-party payment is a great first step, but there are other things you can do to stay safe:
Stick to legit websites: Don’t fall for fake sites that look like the real deal. Always double-check you’re on the official website before buying anything.
Watch out for crazy deals: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do some digging to make sure the deal is legit before you jump on it.
Don’t click on random links in emails: Phishing emails pretending to be from your favorite brands can lead you into trouble. Avoid clicking on any suspicious links.
Avoid saving payment info: While it might seem convenient, saving your payment details on websites can make you an easy target for hackers.
Mix up your login details: Don’t use the same email and password combo for all your loyalty accounts. If one gets hacked, you don’t want them all to be at risk.
Set up alerts: Get notified about any unusual activity on your account so you can act fast if something seems off.
Cybercriminals are always finding new ways to rip people off online, so it’s important to stay one step ahead. And it’s not just individuals at risk—businesses can be targeted too. If you’re worried about your company’s security or you just want to get a second set of eyes on your system to make sure there aren’t any holes in your security, consider getting a free Network Security Assessment. We’ll check out your system and let you know if there are any weak spots that need fixing.
Click here to book your FREE Network Security Assessment now or call our office at (843) 418-4792.
