Tips for Safe Online Shopping:

1. Don’t use public WiFi to do your online shopping (or for that matter any surfing where confidential info will be displayed or inputted). Try to avoid using public computers as well. When making a purchase in a public place, turn off your WiFi and use your phone data.
2. Use websites that are known and trusted. Always double check to make sure you’re not on a website that mimicks a site you’re familiar with. At checkout, be sure the URL starts with HTTPS as opposed to HTTP. The additional ‘S’ is for Security.
   For example, if you go Amazon.com, you’ll notice the link begins with https.
3. Use gift cards, credit cards or paypal as opposed to debit cards. A debit card gives you the least protection of all the above.
4. Don’t wait for your bank or credit card statements to arrive in the mail to review your transactions. Go online regularly to keep track of your transactions and make sure there are no fraudulent charges.
5. Know what’s too good to be true: There’s no shortage of online scams to trick us consumers. You’ve probably noticed it now on Whatsapp where your friends or family innocently forward “Free $250 at Costco” or “Free Flights with American Airlines” with links that appear to be directly from the retailer. Those kind of scams potentially download malware on your phone. The old adage “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t” especially applies to online shopping.
   

How do you know if a great online deal is a good deal for you?

• Don’t shop the deal, shop the need. All because a piece of furniture is 75% off does not mean its worth your money. Make a list of things you need or want and shop for it as the deal comes. Don’t let a sale make you buy something you don’t need.
• The BOGO dilemma: I’m 100% against a BOGO (buy one get one) deal unless I absolutely need 2 of that particular item. If the entire deal is based on purchasing a 2nd unnecessary item, then its no longer a deal.
• Stick to brands you know. Online shopping can take us anywhere and everywhere. That’s why I like to keep my shopping limited to the notable & recognizable brands. Always research and review a brand you want to purchase from for the first time.
• Don’t fall for the Reg. $199.99 Today $99.99 on a given website. Although it may be true, always search the product online to see what its going for at other places. A sale in one store at $99.99 could be the regular price at another store for the same item. CamelCamelCamel is a popular site that tracks and graphs the price history of all Amazon products.
  
• Lastly, always review the return policy of a given store. The amount of time you’re given to return an item as well as potential return costs (shipping, restocking etc.) should also be taken into account when looking at a deal.