What to know about shopping safely on Cyber Monday
Many people will take advantage of Cyber Monday sales and RCMP have tips to help avoid scams that target online shoppers.
Here are five things to know about shopping safely Cyber Monday:
1. Be cautious
Use only your home computer to shop online and use a different user ID and password for each online account.
2. Avoid using links
Go directly to a store's website by manually typing its address into your web browser. That means avoid clicking on links sent through e-mail, even if you know who sent the message.
3. Double check secure connections
Verify secure connections. When shopping online, do not enter financial information if you see a broken key or open padlock symbol on your Internet browser. Those icons mean the transaction is not secure and could be intercepted by a third party. When the key is unbroken or the padlock is locked, your browser is indicating a secure transaction.
4. Minimize your financial exposure
Consider using a company acting as escrow -— a reliable third party; a credit card with a low credit limit or a single use payment card to make online purchases.
5. Keep an eye on your purchases
Monitor your bank and credit card statements online. Electronic statements allow you to review your purchases and payments as they happen rather than waiting until the end of the month to review your paper statement. Immediately report any discrepancies to your bank or to the company that issued the credit card.
