Protecting your Assets on Cyber Monday and Beyond

It’s never too late to protect yourself while battle for the bargains is on.

If it’s deals you’re seeking to kick off the holiday season, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the days to shop; however, along with the great bargains, comes a not-so-super twist. On days where major sales are to be expected, random acts of violence can occur. In order to protect yourself and your wallet while the bargains are at their best, keep reading for a few beneficial tips.

During an early Black Friday event on November 24, 2011, the following incident occurred: at a Walmart in Porter Ranch, Calif., one woman allegedly pepper-sprayed bystanders, in order to gain a better access to the electronic section. On November 25, 2011, a family was confronted for their belongings in the parking lot of a Walmart in San Leandro, Calif., and one family member is in critical condition after being shot.

Why bring these sullen incidents to light? The goal is to increase safety and awareness while shopping. So the next time you decide to go on a bargain hunting spree, here are a few things to keep in mind:

· Park in a well-lit, non-isolated area

· Keep all shopping bags or valuables such as GPS devices out of view or in your trunk

· Don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing while shopping in sketchy locations

· Try not to shop in sketchy locations

· Avoid caring an abundance of cash or credit cards

· Beware of suspicious-looking or shady-acting individuals

· Steer clear of loiterers

· While making purchases, hide your credit card digits as much as possible. People can snap  photos and use your information.

· Shop with a friend

· Ask a security guard or store clerk to escort you to your vehicle

According to a news blog on the fbi.gov, today, US federal agents seized control of 150 websites due to selling counterfeit items.

Now that these sites selling fabricated items have been discovered, should an online shopper still be concerned? Personally, I would be. Here are a few tips to keep stay safe while shopping online:

· Look for a VeriSign logo when considering a purchase

· Become pals with PayPal. Making purchases with a PayPal account enables users to shop without entering their credit card information on a website.

· Verify questionable sites or companies at bbb.org

· Look for “https” at the beginning of a web address. The “s” stands for secure.

· Check for online customer reviews about a company

· Use a pre-paid credit card for purchases

· Do not give checking or credit card information when asked via email. These emails are considered phishing scams.

· Look for misspellings or shoddy-looking websites

· Keep an eye open for the word “replica”

· Make sure your web browser is up-to-date and online security is enabled

In any situation, it’s better to be safe than sorry and in this day and age, one can never be too careful. While keeping these precautionary measures in mind, try to enjoy your holiday shopping experience.

Do you have any other safe-shopping tips? If so, let us know!

~Charlene Marie