Online scams are particularly successful as more shoppers decide to skip the mall and simply click for their holiday gifts. With online shopping presenting more opportunities for fraudsters, here are some tips to protect yourself.
Look out for fake shipping text messages and emails. Don’t click on anything in a text or email. It could be legit, but why take the risk? Instead, go to the retailer’s website.
Be a guest. Lots of online shopping sites want you to create an online account. But to do so, you have to give up personal information to yet another database. Check out as a guest, so you don’t have to provide too much information.
Don’t be fooled by an offer of a gift card. That email or text offering a $50 gift card is fake. Seriously. If you think it’s real, then go to the retail site or call customer service to determine whether the offer is legitimate.
Scammers love gift cards, too. If you’re told to pay for an item with a gift card, you’re about to be scammed. This is a favorite trick for scammers because it’s like paying in cash and is nearly impossible to get your money back.
Look for a physical address. Legitimate online stores should provide you with a physical address and working phone number in the contact section. Return and shipping policies should be clear and easy to understand.
Pay with a credit card. Credit card purchases offer more protection than a debit card. Keep in mind your debit card is directly tied to your bank account, and fraudulent transactions can quickly do a lot of damage. If you don’t have a credit card, use a prepaid debit card to purchase things online.
Watch for unrealistic shipping promises. Scammers know folks will be looking for retailers that can promise fast and free delivery. Be a skeptic about shipping guarantees that seem too good to be true.
This post was originally published on www.washingtonpost.com.