Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the busiest online shopping days of the year. It’s an excellent time for businesses to offer great deals and for customers to save big. Cantaloupe is no exception, offering a killer Cyber Week promotion through 12/5.
While we all gear up to spend some hard-earned money this week, we want to remind you that it’s also the holiday season for the bad guys too! And this is the time of year that they go into scam-overdrive mode. We want you to protect yourself when shopping this week and avoid Black Friday or Cyber Monday scams.
8 tips to stay secure this Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
#1 Don’t fall for fake sites.
It may be hard to believe, but there are literally thousands of fake sites that look real. Make sure the sites you visit are real by typing in the address or using a bookmark. Don’t click on links in emails with special offers.
#2 Watch out for delivery alerts.
Delivery alerts should not require you to input personal information. Be aware of emails or texts notifying you that you’ve received a package from FedEx, UPS, or the US Mail, and then ask you for personal information. Don’t enter anything.
#3 Fake mobile apps are real, be aware.
Mobile apps that promise big shopping savings or major discount coupons should cause you to pause before you download them.
#4 Check the website address.
Check website addresses after following links on Twitter, Facebook, or other social media channels to be sure you end up on the correct retailer website.
#5 Keep your credit card information secure.
If possible, only use credit card information saved in your account as a payment method. This reduces the risk of your credit card number being intercepted when you type it or swipe it. There are fake magnetic stripes that pull credit card information.
#6 If a coupon seems too good to be true, it probably is!
Sites that ask for your information in return for “coupons” or winning “free” merchandise are almost always scams.
#7 Look for the “S” in HTTPS when you visit shopping sites.
Look for the “S” in HTTPS when you visit shopping sites. Beware of shopping sites that do not use HTTPS in their website addresses or do not display the symbol of a lock next to the web address. Secure sites use HTTPS and, without that, you’re dealing with unsecured connections or weak encryption of personal data.
#8 Watch your bank account.
Keep a close eye on your bank account and credit card statements so you can dispute any suspicious charges. We recommend shopping with a credit card, not a debit card, just in case!