How To Shop Securely During Black Friday & Cyber Monday

GRAPHIC: Black Friday scam on laptop with a shopping cart and credit cards on a phish hook

‘Tis the season for online shopping. Unfortunately, it’s also the season for holiday scams. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals right around the corner, it’s important to know what to look for when shopping for the perfect gift. Here are some tips so you don’t get Scrooged:

Pay with a secure method. Using a credit card provides extra protection for online purchases. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), credit card holders are allowed to dispute fraudulent charges, whereas with a debit card, the money comes directly out of a checking account. Remember to check your bank statements regularly for any unauthorized payments.

Research the seller. Before checking out, verify that the business is legitimate. Search the company’s name online, plus “scam,” to read what others are saying. If you’re unsure, check with the state attorney general or the local consumer protection agency to see if there are any filed complaints.

Don’t fall for fake ads. Fake advertisements lurk on legitimate platforms, including email, social media, and search engines. Think twice before clicking on ads. Go directly to the business’s website to verify that the offer is real.

For more cybersecurity tips, visit https://security.ufl.edu/.