Learn how you can stay safe while shopping online.
It's important to be aware of the risks the Internet holds, especially if you're planning on doing your holiday shopping online. Unfortunately, many cyber criminals are lurking, waiting for unsuspecting holiday shoppers. That's why it's so important to take steps to protect yourself and your financial information. Try out these strategies to stay safe while shopping online.
1) Avoid Giving Out Personal Information
Any website that prompts you for information unrelated to your purchase should raise red flags. If a website asks you for information such as your social security number or date of birth, then this website is not legitimate and you should leave it as quickly as possible. The only information an online retailer should need is your billing, shipping, and payment information and, on some occasions, your phone number and email address.
2) Shop Smart
Another way to protect yourself as you shop online is by using gift cards or pre-paid credit cards to pay. This will ensure that criminals do not gain access to your credit or debit card information if they hack your account. While loosing the money you loaded onto a card is not ideal, it's better than letting a criminal run free with your credit or debit card.
3) Check Your Bank Statements
If you are doing a lot of online shopping, it's important to check your bank statements frequently. Don't simply wait until the end of the month to review your purchases. Instead, you should check your bank statement every time a payment goes through. This will ensure that you catch any suspicious charges right away.
4) Be Proactive
Finally, being proactive can help keep you safe, and help you stay one step ahead of cyber criminals. By installing good anti-virus software on your computer, you can protect yourself and your financial information. Anti-virus software can protect you from any pop-ups and emails that contain harmful viruses or malware. Additionally, having this kind of software can always warn you if a website is not secure or is compromised in some way.
Employ these strategies to stay safe while shopping online. Want another way to protect yourself this holiday season? Make sure that you have the proper
insurance protection in place. To find the right policies to fit your needs, look to the experts at Little & Sons Insurance Services. Our dedicated team is always ready to address the insurance needs of Banning and the surrounding cities in California.
Contact us for assistance today.
