Stay Safe This Holiday Season With These 6 Smart Online Shopping Tips
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and there’s no time like the present to review and brush up on smart online shopping tips. After all, you want to score the best deals online that don’t break the bank, but also keep your data safe and secure.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #1: Budget and Plan
Let’s face it, unless you set a budget and plan ahead of time, it’s easy to get swept up in the moment or make multiple small purchases that quickly add up to a sizeable amount. We recommend setting a strict budget for each gift recipient and then writing down what you purchased. It’s easy to get swept away in Amazon lightning deals or other sales and forget that you’ve already ordered a gift for someone.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #2: Shop Early and Compare Prices
Avoid last-minute stress by shopping early. Additionally, if there are minor shipping delays, it won’t alter your plans, and you’ll have time to wait to receive the gifts you ordered. Take your time to compare prices and don’t jump on the first sale you see. Some browsers have shopping extensions that help you check multiple sites to ensure you’re receiving the best price.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #3: Shop Trusted Sites
While it can be tempting to order that cute sweater from a retailer you’ve never heard of before that advertised “buy it now” on Instagram or Facebook, we recommend avoiding purchasing anything through social media sites. Always visit the retailer’s site directly in a browser or through a verified app and make sure you’re buying from a reputable company.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #4: Security, Security, Security
We cannot stress enough the importance of staying safe and secure online. Follow these security tips to avoid becoming a victim of fraud or having your financial information stolen.
- No Public Wi-Fi – Never use public Wi-Fi when making any financial transaction. Only make financial transactions via a VPN or on a secure home network.
- Strong Passwords – Always use strong, unique passwords that contain a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Two-Factor Authentication – Enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
- No Debit Cards – Avoid using a credit card when making online purchases, as credit cards offer more protection against unauthorized charges.
- Limit Personal Data – Limit any personal data online and only provide the bare minimum information upon checkout.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #5: Avoid Scams
Scammers are active year-round, but especially around the holidays. You may receive an email with a link for a product at a fantastic price, and you might feel tempted to click and make a purchase, but it’s important to take a moment to pause and scrutinize the email. Review the email address itself and see if it appears legitimate. If it references a particular product, visit the website directly and don’t click the link. You can then search the website for the product. If you can’t find the sale referenced in the email, contact the company directly via their website. They may be able to point you in the right direction or confirm it is indeed a phishing or scam attempt.
Smart Online Shopping Tips #6: Coupon Cashback Apps
If you’re looking for a coupon cashback app, we recommend using Rakuten or Honey. If you have any loyalty points with a store, now may be the time to combine them with cashback apps and holiday sales.
Home Telecom Internet Security
If you’re shopping Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales from home on your computer or laptop, make sure to download Home Telecom’s Trend Micro security. Home Telecom offers this internet security software FREE to high-speed internet customers. By keeping your software up-to-date, you can help thwart hackers' attempts to steal your data.
