5 online shopping tips… Be ALERT!

This post contains editorial samples and/or affiliate links to products I recommend. While this adds no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission on any sales made.

 

So…

do you have your game plan ready?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just a few days away!

 

I, for one, plan to enjoy my Black Friday indoors…

with a hot cup of chai, in my PJs,

crossing off the deals on my list, while shopping online through my favorite cash back site.

 

Am I worried to shop online?

Not at all!

I think I’ve done my homework, understood what I should/shouldn’t do…and know what I need to look out for while shopping on a site.

What about you? … Need some help?

Here are 5 online shopping tips to keep in mind, using the acronym ALERT.

{This way you will never forget!}d

  .1. Always look out for a site certification to ensure the site you are shopping on has an authentic, business reliability, seal of approval. (This is mainly for sites you’re unfamiliar with.) Some sites don’t have this on their home page but may have the certification included on their Security/Privacy page.

Reliable certifications include BBBOnline and Truste.

 

2. Look at the web address bar while checking out on the payment page.

If it starts with an https: instead of http:  you know you’re on a secure site.

 

Other security plus factors to look for on a site include…

a. A picture of a closed lock or a whole key in your browser window – This tells you the security system is in place

b. The words “Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)” on the site

c. A pop up box that says you are entering a secure area

3. Ensure you get an order confirmation for any purchase you make online. That’s your only proof of purchase and what you will need to contact the company if you have any issues later.

4. Refuse to complete any purchase that requires for you to register/list your birth-date and/or social security number.

All that you should be required to provide is your name, shipping address, billing address (if different from your shipping address) and payment information. That’s it!

5. Think you should shop the best deals from that public terminal at work, in the library, at the coffee shop?…

Forget it!

Public terminals and networks are known to have loopholes in their security systems and are definitely never recommended for online shopping. 

Even if you miss out on a few good deals by waiting to shop from home, remember it’s definitely worth the “loss”…

your identity is worth much more than a few material treasures!

 

Keep these 5 online shopping tips in mind and you’ll be just fine!

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