Full Notification

Cyber Monday is a big day for online retailers. Millions of Americans take advantage of online deals for holiday gifts. If you're one of those millions surfing for a good deal, be sure to keep yourself protected from losing money from scams or fraud.
Here are some tips for buying items online:

• Paying with a credit card will offer more protections than a debit card
• Use trusted vendors. Bookmark the most trusted online retail sites to make sure you don't get redirected to fakes.
• Don't fall for 'too-good-to-be-true' deals
• Go directly to a store’s website instead of using search engines to look for deals.
• Watch out for social media scams, especially on Facebook. Cybercriminals are using fake or compromised Facebook accounts in order to post links to amaaaaaazing deals that don’t actually exist.
• Check statements regularly to make sure the only charges are ones you've made.
• Keep record of order confirmations and receipts, with a designated folder in your inbox.

• Don't use public wi-fi, only secure connections.
• Lock devices with a password so data is protected even when your phone is out of your hands.
• Don’t fork over extra info. If a site starts asking for out-of-the-ordinary personal data, like Social Security numbers or password security questions, dont do it.