CROWDS attract scammers, so be cautious when shopping online over the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. Crowds will be out there expecting to take advantage of you more than you can on a premium TV set or a gaming console.
But it is best to remind yourself of these precautions all year round. In the rush to get gifts wrapped, you want to guard against getting complacent about cyber security.
Update All Your Software
It’s that time of year again. Black Friday is just around the corner and everyone is getting ready for the biggest shopping day of the year. But before you start your shopping, there’s one important thing you need to do. Update all of your software.
That may not sound like the most exciting way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend, but it’s important. Why? Because this is the time of year when scammers are looking to take advantage of people who are busy shopping and not paying attention to their computer security.
So take a few minutes before you start your Black Friday shopping to update your operating system, your web browser, your antivirus software, and any other programs you use. This will help protect you from scams and malware that could ruin your holiday season.
Be Wary of Email and Social Media Deals
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, be wary of email and social media deals that seem too good to be true. Many scammers take advantage of the holiday shopping season by offering fake deals on popular items.
Before clicking on any links or providing personal information, take a few minutes to research the offer. Check the website or company’s name with the Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection organizations. If you can’t find any information about the company, it’s probably best to avoid doing business with them.
Also, be suspicious of deals that require you to provide personal information such as your Social Security number or credit card number before you can take advantage of the offer. If you’re unsure about a particular deal, contact the company directly to see if it’s legitimate.
Do Your Research
When it comes to Black Friday, shoppers need to be extra careful. There are a lot of scams that take advantage of people who are looking for a good deal. Here are some tips to avoid falling for a Black Friday scam:
- Do your research before you buy anything. Make sure you know how much the item is worth and what kind of deals you should be expecting.
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true deals. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Pay with a credit card instead of cash. This way, you can dispute any charges if you end up being scammed.
- Check out reviews before buying from a new or unknown website. See what other people have to say about their experience before you make a purchase.
Double-Check Deals
As Black Friday approaches, shoppers are getting ready to score the best deals on their holiday gifts. But before you start clicking “add to cart,” experts say there are a few things you should keep in mind to avoid falling for a scam.
“One of the most common scams we see during the holidays is fake websites selling counterfeit or knock-off products,” said Matt Schulz, chief industry analyst at CompareCards.com. “These sites pop up overnight and they’re usually gone just as quickly, but they can do a lot of damage in a short period.”
To avoid being scammed, Schulz advises shoppers to do their research before making a purchase. “Check out the Better Business Bureau’s website or contact the company directly to make sure you’re dealing with a legitimate business,” he said.
Protect Your Accounts
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday quickly approach, scammers are preparing to take advantage of unsuspecting holiday shoppers. Protect your accounts by following these simple tips:
Only shop on secure websites. Before entering your payment information, check to make sure the website address starts with HTTPS:// and has a padlock icon next to it.
Create strong passwords for all of your online accounts and never use the same password twice. A password manager can help you keep track of all your login credentials.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts by requiring you to enter a code from your phone in addition to your password.
Be wary of phishing emails and never click on links or attachments from unknown senders. If an email looks suspicious, delete it without opening it.
Guard Your Payment Info
When it comes to Black Friday, there are always great deals to be had. But scammers know this too, and they will try to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling for a Black Friday scam.
First, be sure to only shop at reputable stores. If you’re not familiar with a store, do some research to make sure it’s legitimate. Check online reviews and see if there have been any complaints filed against the store.
Next, be wary of any too-good-to-be-true deals. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t let a great deal blind you to the fact that you’re dealing with a scammer.
Finally, never give out your personal or financial information to someone you don’t know.
