Consumer Credit Counseling Service News Articles

FTC (Federal Trade Commission) reminds shoppers to look out for scams and do your research to save money.

Holiday shopping has taken on a new shape this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Likely you’ll be going online to look for those perfect gifts. With endless sales going on, it’s important to keep some online shopping tips in mind.

Holiday Shopping Tips

Most importantly, make sure your computer is outfitted with up-to-date antivirus software. The FTC has published a comprehensive list of things consumers can do to make sure their cybersecurity is up to snuff.

While you are doing your actual shopping, there are steps to ensure you’re getting the best deal and keeping yourself safe.

* Take time to compare products. If you’re looking for a specific item, take the time to shop around. Doing so can allow you to save money that can be used for other gifts or to save for a rainy day.

* Check out other sellers. This tip goes along with comparing prices. It is necessary to check out who is selling you a product. Sites like ConsumerAffairs can allow you to look up reviews about a company to ensure that you’re buying from a legitimate source.

* Look for coupon codes. Another way to get the best deals…find and apply those coupons codes. An eligible coupon can be another way to increase your savings.

* Paying by credit card. When you pay with your credit card online, you are given protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act. This allows you to dispute certain charges and limits the amount of money that a hacker or scammer can potentially steal from you in the event of a cybersecurity lapse. Just make sure to then pay your credit account off immediately.

* Use secure checkout. Make sure that the site you’re using to purchase from is protected by enhanced security protocols. One easy way to check for this is by checking the site’s URL and seeing if it starts with “https”. The “s” in that case stands for “secure”, which means you can have more confidence when it comes to entering your information.

* Keep records of transactions. Keep a running tab of the products you’ve ordered and then check off once those packages have arrived. If you notice that something is missing, you can contact the vendor early on to resolve the issue.

As always, a little prevention goes a long way towards peace of mind. Shop smart. Be safe.

Excerpted from Christopher Maynard