The holiday season is upon us and many of us now do most of our shopping online. With that, we want to remind you of a few ways to make sure you’re protecting your identity while shopping online.
Know What to Look for to Ensure a Site Is Legit
Before you just purchase something from any online store, you want to make sure that the website is legit and secure. To know if this is the case, their URL will start with an “https” and there will be a locked padlock before the URL. Also, do a quick search for reviews to find out if they are a reputable company.
Use a Credit Card over Debit Card for Online Purchases
If you’re shopping in stores, try to use cash over a credit card or debit card. However, for any online purchases you want to choose to use a credit card versus your debit card. The reason for this is because credit cards provide more protection against any fraudulent activities. Many credit cards monitor fraudulent activity and put a stop to it right away. With debit cards, the money is immediately gone from your account and they don’t offer the same protection.
Check Your Accounts Regularly
Be sure to check your bank account and credit card accounts on a regular basis. Either review the monthly statement you receive, or make it a point, on a weekly or biweekly basis, to go into your online accounts and review. If you see anything suspicious, report it right away!
We hope you have a fun and safe holiday season! And remember, if you need any type of insurance, don’t hesitate to reach out.