Smart Woman: Digital Shopping Dangers
By: Katy Garcia
Updated: December 20, 2012
Researchers estimate shoppers will spend over $54-billion online this holiday season, but are you protecting your financial information from scammers?
From tablets to smart phones, researchers advise consumers to avoid entering payment information on mobile devices. If you must shop on a phone or tablet, use an approved retailer payment app. Scammers create fake shopping sites, often disguised as large retailers. Lessons learned? If it looks too good to be true, it is. Even if you trust the site, use a credit card instead of a debit card, so payment information is not directly linked to your bank account.
Finally, be weary of any e-cards that make their way to your inbox from unnamed friends or relatives. These tempting holiday surprises may contain harmful viruses.
First comes shopping, then comes shipping. Internet scammers use the gift-giving season as an easy-in to your inbox. General subject lines about a delivery from reputable companies like fed-ex, u-p-s and the post office may mask harmful viruses. Do not open the e-mail or any attachments. You can report this and other suspected criminal activity online to the internet crime complaint center.
