8 Ways To Avoid an Online Hoax

If you plan on retreating to eShopping this holiday season to avoid long lines, beware!  Online shopping cons are on the rise. To decrease your risk of being an easy target, use the following tips to save your pocketbook:

1. Never give your financial information to companies who "claim" to need it.  Check the privacy statement to ensure that your information will not be sold without your permission.
2. The Better Business Bureau is also online.  Look for the BBB seal of approval before ordering.
3. When you enter into the checkout site, the address bar should read "https" thus indicating a secure site.  Without the "s" the site may be hacked to reveal your financial information.
4. Keep all confirmation emails for future reference.  Should your order arrive incomplete or incorrect, you'll need documentation in a dispute.
5. Check credit card statements often.  Most companies will not hold you responsible for stolen charges, so catch any activity before too much time elapses.
6. Be informed of your legal rights as a shopper.  If your merchandise has not arrived within 30 days of purchase, you are entitled to a refund.
7. Update all antivirus software and maintain a secure firewall on your computer.
8. Shop with retailers you trust and have purchased from in the past.

Online shopping is usually a pleasant, convenient and safe experience!  Avoid the headaches of mall shopping and the online scams this season by using the advice above.