Black Friday shopping

As we enter the holiday season, the next two months will likely incur a lot of expenses. However, the deals of Black Friday will surely allow us all to buy all that we need without breaking the bank. An entire day dedicated to shopping and saving through good deals sounds wondrous, and online bargains have already started on many e-commerce platforms. However, while Black Friday is increasingly shifting towards online shopping, in part because of the pandemic, there are still things to look out for to ensure you have a safe shopping experience. 

As predictions would have it, the volume of Black Friday shopping done online is going to experience an increase. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in online scams and frauds. Cybersecurity expert and GoldPhish CEO Dan Thornton stated, “We have to be on the lookout for dodgy deals and be smart when it comes to prices that seem ‘too good to be true.’ Unfortunately, more online shopping activity means more opportunities for cybercrimes to take place.” While this may be scary, don’t let it hinder you from taking advantage of the good holiday-time savings. There are ways you can protect yourself and still get the good bargain. 

If the deal seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam.

While Black Friday deals can allow you to save a lot, it is good practice to verify a deal before you purchase. You should check the online retailer’s official website to see if the deal appears there before you buy something as it could possibly be a scam. 

Don’t give out any of your personal information. 

While this is common internet etiquette, many people could fall into the trap of giving out their personal information to complete a transaction. CEO Thornton said, “If they’re an online retailer, they will be aware of the prevalence of scams and will confidently provide you with proof of their legitimacy.” For this reason, never share your bank information or passwords for any reason while shopping online. 

Proceed with caution when it comes to social media marketplaces.

When it comes to buying things from businesses on social media, it is best to do a little research to see if the business is legitimate. Check information such as how long the business has been around, how many followers it has, its customer reviews, and if they come from real accounts. 

Sign off only on secure payments. 

When completing transactions online, it is crucial to note the padlock symbol near the address bar and that the website’s URL starts with https:// and not http://. This is because https:// evokes encryption on the data you are trying to send out and protects it. 

Complete purchases with credit cards only.

Transferring money using credit cards is better than using your bank account or debit card because in the case of a scam, it’ll make it easier for you to retrieve your money. 

Contact your bank immediately if you have been scammed. 

In case of a scam, you do not know what information of yours has been compromised. For this reason, you should immediately reset all passwords and change your bank account’s security settings. Contact your bank in regard to any purchases made using your account that you did not authorize. 

With all these measures, you should be able to have a safe yet exciting time shopping online this Black Friday.