Scamming can result in you losing money that you can’t get back and, more importantly, having your identity stolen. You can help protect yourself by learning how to spot common scams and how to check for trustworthy businesses.
Practice good cybersecurity hygiene – Don’t click any suspicious links or attachments in emails, on websites, or on social media. Phishing scams try to trick you into clicking on malicious links so the scammers can capture personal information such as your name, password, bank account number, and more.
Research the sources you’re buying from – Verify each website’s web address to ensure it’s legitimate and secure. Secure sites will have HTTPS in the web address. If it doesn’t, don’t provide your information on that site.
Research companies you are buying from for the first time. Check for reviews and view their Better Business Profile.
Be careful how you pay – Never wire money directly to a seller.
When using a credit card when shopping online, check your statement regularly. If you see a suspicious transaction, contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.
Monitor the shipping process – Obtain tracking numbers for items you buy online. Monitor the delivery process until you have received your items.
By: Brenda Langdon
