Madison, WI,
01
November
2014
|
12:11 PM
America/Chicago

Shop Online with Peace of Mind

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Enjoy a secure buying experience with these tips.

Holiday shopping online in the comfort of your own home offers great perks.

It’s convenient and relatively stress-free – no crowds in stores or waiting in long lines. You can even save with online discounts, and by avoiding spending extra money on gas driving from store to store.

But if you’ve read the headlines about data breaches lately, you know that online shopping has certain risks, too. Here are some tips to make sure your online shopping experience is fun – and secure.

Watch Those Passwords
For shopping, banking and financial services sites – or other websites that store your sensitive personal information – use different passwords than those of your social media accounts. Don’t reuse passwords, and change them regularly.

Monitor Your Statements
Read your credit card or banking statements closely to make sure there are no unauthorized purchases. If you discover questionable activity, contact your bank or financial institution as soon as possible.

Use Caution with Email Offers
Instead of clicking links in unsolicited emails, log in directly to the official website for the business identified. Never respond to unsolicited emails.

Be a Savvy Shopper
Before you click “purchase,” ensure that the price includes shipping, handling, taxes and other costs connected to the purchase, as well as discounts. Be aware of return policies, which sometimes include extra restocking or shipping fees.

Enjoy your online shopping experience securely this holiday season!

Check out these related resources:

Identity Theft Protection
Think You Might Be a Victim of Credit Card Hacking?
Be Alert for Identity Theft This Holiday Season