You know where to shop this morning and want to shop for, but be sure you've taken care of some of the more tedious details first.
You’re undoubtedly aware it’s Cyber Monday, and many of you have already been hitting the e-retailers pretty hard this morning. But it’s never too late to offer some friendly advice on how to keep your information safe while also making the most of the online sales.
Credit, not debit
When possible, opt to use your credit card. You’re protected by the federal Fair Credit Billing Act when you use your credit card so you can dispute something if you’re overcharged or if anything else goes wrong. And if your card is used for something else entirely without your go-ahead, you will likely get all of the money back. If you’re nervous after the fact, use BillGuard, which checks your credit card bill for free to see if there are any eyebrow-raising charges you should be aware of.
Don’t trust links
If you’re truly scouring the Web looking for the best deals out there, many an article will link out to supposedly great sites. But the deeper your wander into the depths of the Internet, the more wary you should be of these links. Instead, type the full address into your browser to help avoid viruses.
Update everything
If you haven’t already, make sure your spam filters, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software are all up to date. Also be sure you have a secure firewall.
Read the fine print
It should go without saying that if you’re buying something online on Cyber Monday, it’s entirely possible there’s some sort of caveat. In many cases it’s something as simple as the clarification that the discount does not apply to shipping or some accessory isn’t included—but there are occasions in which it’s something much more significant. Be sure you’re aware of what exactly you’re paying for and getting in return. Be sure to check return policies.
Go by reputation
There are plenty of apps and Websites devoted to revealing an e-retailer’s reputation. WOT (which stands for Web of Trust) is a free plugin you can add to your browser, and when you search you will see consumer ratings on how trustworthy a site is. Norton also has a tool where you can type in a domain name to see how safe it is.
Relax—Internet sales aren’t going anyway
Black Friday and Cyber Monday obviously offer great deals, but don’t worry all day that you’re making a huge mistake by not ditching work to troll the Web for bargain items (which we aren’t putting past everyone out there). But e-retailers know that the crazed promotion for Cyber Monday translates to huge numbers for them, and while a fancy titled shopping day might not be in our future, similarly great savings are. Continue to make the rounds at sites like DealNews, FatWallet, and RetailMeNot.
