A few years back, right after Thanksgiving, my husband left the city. I waved him goodbye at our quaint local airport. I’m usually one to avoid Black Friday sales as much as possible, but on that particular day, I found myself decidedly unwell and in need of medication. The only open stores in our vicinity that early in the morning were Target and Wal-Mart.
So, there I was at half-past five on the morning of Black Friday, mustering courage to face the throng at Target. Surprisingly, the store wasn’t as crowded as I had anticipated. Signs of a previous horde of shoppers were evident. But I managed to grab the medication and some water without much hassle, and for just a few dollars.
In a rather unfortunate turn of events, this simple shopping errand turned into one of my major financial hurdles. My debit card was compromised in the notorious Target data mishap. Lacking a credit card and having only one bank account at the time, my entire financial existence was put in peril due to my requirement for cold medication.
Even though I hadn’t really done anything calamitous, the experience was fruitful in terms of the lessons it taught me. As the shopping season is reaching its zenith, it’s imperative to reflect on precautionary measures for secure shopping during the festive season.
HOW TO SHOP SAFELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS ONLINE
Crowds aren’t really my cup of tea, hence I prefer accomplishing most of my shopping online. My online shopping experience has been free from any notable glitches so far (touch wood). Heed these tips and you may experience the same.
1. STAY ALERT ABOUT YOUR ACCOUNTS
Choose to check on the account(s) used for online shopping on a regular basis for any suspicious movements. Some people like to dedicate a single card for their online purchases to simplify the checking procedure.
In case the card needs to be cancelled due to some unfortunate events, your day-to-day purchases remain unaffected as you can use your other cards.
2. UNDERSTAND YOUR CARD PROTECTIONS
Credit cards are usually equipped with robust protections for online purchases. However, that certainly doesn’t imply that debit cards offer no protection.
Before you decide on the card for your online purchases, ensure you’re well-acquainted with the protective measures offered in case you fall prey to a scam, if your shipment goes missing, or your details are stolen. It’s not a bad idea to go through the fine print if you’re able to find the card agreement online or if you’ve kept a copy.
3. CONSIDER USING GIFT CARDS
If the thought of monitoring accounts and looking into protections is too overwhelming, you can always shop online with cash by buying Visa, Mastercard, or American Express gift cards at a local store and using them for your online orders.
4. MANUALLY ENTER THE URL
If you’re a frequent shopper at certain stores, chances are those businesses have your email address and send you promotional emails from time to time.
However, scammers are pretty smart and they can send you an email that looks exactly like it came from your favorite store. You click on the link in the scam email, assuming it’s taking you to the store’s website, but in reality, you land on a scam webpage.
You make a purchase, input your credit card details, and suddenly find yourself in a financial pickle.
The emails sent by your store might contain a shopping code which can get you a discount at checkout. Note down the code, but enter the store’s address manually into your browser to avoid any scam.
5. SHOP ONLY ON SECURE SITES
Authentic shopping websites are secure. One way to distinguish is by checking the web address. Instead of http, it should read https – the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’.
Usually, trustworthy websites display third party logos (such as the Better Business Bureau) for validation. However, remember that nothing stops a dishonest company from displaying these “trustworthy” logos.
Additionally, a simple Google search can help you establish the authenticity of a website before you order anything from it. This holds especially true if deals seem unbelievably good.
6. PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION
Some retailers may ask for your age to tailor their marketing strategy towards specific customers. However, your date of birth shouldn’t really be needed (unless you’re buying something with an adult rating, such as a movie or video game).
If you’re required to provide your date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal identification data, it’s wise to look for another place to shop.
7. KEEP YOUR COMPUTER UPDATED
If you’re using a traditional computer for shopping, ensure it’s equipped with a firewall. Also, stay updated with anti-virus and spam software. For reference, check out our list of top ten antivirus software and choose from our recommended providers.
Make sure your browser settings are aligned for maximum safety, and check for updates regularly. The latest browser version is generally provided if security issues are encountered.
8. BE WARY OF WI-FI AND BLUETOOTH
Don’t just worry about the possible threats at the other end of your online transaction. When you submit your information, hackers are trying to gain access to it.
Avoid using public Wi-Fi, which makes it incredibly easy for hackers to access your information. That means, abstain from online shopping at the airport, library, or the neighborhood coffee shop. If you’re using a mobile device, disable Bluetooth for similar reasons.
9. CREATE A STRONG PASSWORD
A tough password consists of numerics, upper and lower case alphabets, and symbols. Yes, it’s a challenge to remember – but that’s what makes it less vulnerable to hacking.
One way to remember is to use lyrics from your favorite song and convert them into a password. For instance, the lyrics “Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are” can be translated to “T2l*hIwwur”.
10. DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO STORE YOUR INFORMATION
It can be very tempting to secure your credit card data with your go-to retailers. Venerable retailers should have a privacy and security policy in place. But, consider the consequences of an announcement from your retailer about your stolen credit card details.
It may consume a lot more of your time than just keying in your credit card information each time you shop but monitoring your finances is definitely worth it.
Relying heavily on online shopping for the festive season? Keep your details safe!
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HOW TO SHOP SAFELY FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN STORES
The populace can provide a sense of security. However, it also beckons thieves. Predators are always on the lookout for distracted, speedy, or overloaded shoppers.
The frenzy of Christmas shopping often leads to these predicaments. You may not have the luxury of a relaxed pace but you can definitely safeguard yourself from thieves with these helpful tips.
11. KEEP YOUR MONEY SECURE
Tempted to hang your purse off the pram? Or maybe you placed your wallet inside one of your shopping bags – don’t forget that you put down the bags every now and then.
Keep your purse close to you, draped over your shoulder if possible. Make it difficult for someone to grab your money without a struggle. They’ll likely seek an easier target.
12. DON’T JUGGLE TOO MANY BAGS
If you’ve shopped a lot, you might struggle to carry all your bags and boxes. However, criminals are looking out for shoppers returning to their cars and then getting back to finish their shopping.
The moment you unload your items, the thief is aware that you’re unlikely to return immediately. They know they have plenty of time to swoop in and steal your purchases, if not your vehicle.
If you have to unload items, stash them in the trunk where they’re unlikely to tempt opportunists. If at all possible, park as close to the store as you can to dissuade thieves from targeting your car.
13. SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
The more you purchase, the tougher the carrying gets. Either you’ll end up taking a trip to your car, which we’ve already identified as being risky, or you’ll have to repeatedly put down your bags to reposition them, offering thieves a chance to swoop in and rob you.
The smart move is to save your most exquisite purchases till the end. Your items will not only be less alluring but you’ll also suffer less monetary loss if your initial purchases are stolen.
14. STAY ALERT
Eyes in the back of your head could come in handy here. Pause every now and then to let people pass you. Take note of who is around you in the stores – which also means staying off your cell phone.
Recall, thieves are on the lookout for distracted people.
15. BE READY
Once your shopping is done, stride confidently to your vehicle with keys at the ready. You want to get in your vehicle and make a quick getaway, almost seamlessly.
This can pose significant challenges if you have children accompanying you, so limit your shopping to peak hours, park in a brightly lit area, and get as close to the main entrance as possible.
It may not be as convenient, but then again, neither is getting robbed.
Keep yourself and your wallet safe from thieves when shopping in stores this festive season.
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16. AVOID SHOWING OFF CASH
Using cash for shopping might help you steer clear of card data breaches but it might not necessarily safeguard your wallet. Thieves will be quick to spot you if you flaunt a large amount of cash at the register.
If the store has a changing room, you might be able to calculate your purchases and carry just enough cash for that purchase. For other stores, pre-planning could come in handy.
17. CARRY CASH WITH YOU
Believe it or not, thieves are often found lurking near mall ATMs, keeping tabs on large withdrawals. It’s safe to come prepared with cash if you intend to shop with it.
18. SECURITY
In no circumstance should you shop late in the night in a dodgy part of town. Go where security is present and ask for an escort to your vehicle if you’re leaving post peak hours.
Most people shop online and in stores with hardly any problems. This could be down to a pinch of luck and mostly due to implementing these common sense strategies.
Definitely, grab those sales and get those great deals. Just be sensible while doing it!
What piece of advice would you give someone who is keen on knowing how to shop safely for the holidays? Have you ever taken extra precautions when shopping online or in stores? How do you keep your money secure?
