Protect yourself as you finish your holiday shopping online.
As the holidays approach, you are likely doing some online shopping. Today, online shopping has become such a regular occurrence that consumers forget about the dangers that this retail method poses. With cyber criminals on the prowl this season, take these precautions to protect yourself as you shop online.
1) Only Shop Websites and Companies That You Trust
Now is not the time to be exploring retailers that you’ve never heard about. While it’s fine to try out a new store in person, things get far riskier online. This is because cyber criminals can actually create fake websites that look like they belong to legitimate retailers. These sites are used to steal payment and other personal details without the online shopper ever being the wiser. So, to avoid falling into these traps, stick to trusted sites and retailers when you browse online.
2) Do Not Use Public Wi-Fi Networks
While you might want to do a little online shopping at your local coffee shop, never plug in your payment information while connected to a public Wi-Fi network. These networks have very little security safeguards in place, and it is very easy for other people on the same network to intercept the information you are inputting. A good rule of thumb: never log into an account or input personal information while you are connected to public Wi-Fi.
3) Shop Using Gift Cards
Finally, protect your bank account by doing your online shopping with pre-paid gift cards. This way, if a hacker gains access to one of your accounts, they only get the payment information for the card. While you might lose whatever money you have remaining on the card, this is still preferable to a criminal gaining free access to your credit card or bank account.
These are some of the precautions you should take to stay safe while shopping online. Want another way to protect yourself this holiday season? Make sure you have the proper personal insurance protections in place. For assistance with all your coverage needs, contact the experts at The Schwab Agency in Colleyville, Texas to get started today.