With the holiday season almost here, it’s essential to get the gifts ready and wrapped. Leave it until the last minute and they’ll be a mad dash on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve and you might leave empty-handed. At least, the presents will be a mismatch and you’ll feel underwhelmed.
The internet lets shopper organize their lists. With one click of a button, you can have everything delivered in plenty of time. The only downsides are scams. At this time of year, hackers and digital thieves try to intercept your data for their gain.
To stop this from happening, here are the things you need to do online.
Check The Encryption
Web browsers do a lot of hard work so that you can shop in peace. One of their best inventions is the green security lock in the top, left-hand corner of the screen. This, along with the terms “HTTP” and “HTTPS,” indicate your data is encrypted and won’t be available to hackers. A red one or anything which isn’t green is a bad sign and you should think before you proceed. Phishing scams bypass this security measure by appearing normal, which is why you shouldn’t use email links. Always go through Google or a trusted search engine.
Try The Contact Number
Scam artists are sticklers for detail, so everything about the website will appear legitimate. But, they are lazy and don’t have time to cover every base. Instead, they rely on your lack of thoroughness to defraud their customers. As a result, the contact details will look real yet they’ll often ring through to a residential number or a call center. Taking the time to check the phone number, as well as the email address and social media accounts, might save you a small fortune. And, it only takes a few minutes to be certain the site is safe. Use Google Maps to research the real address too.
Research The Reputation
Never let a company or an unknown and untrusted source sway your thinking. They could be working for the conmen and women to steal your info. Instead, do a bit of digging and see what you find. Swagbucks offers deals which seem too good but be true, which is why the question “is Swagbucks legit?” trends on Google. A glance will tell you the reviews and recommendations are bona fide and there is no funny business. Also, think about whether your peers buy from the site and if their experience has been positive or negative.
Be Realistic
You want a laptop and the lowest you’ve found it for is just under $1,000. Suddenly, a site pops-up and claims to sell it for less than $100. You’re ecstatic because you’ve saved almost $900. On reflection, the chances of this site being legit are pretty slim. For one thing, the market sets the rate so why are they able to undercut their rivals? For another, which business is going to lose money to build a customer base?
The more you look at it, the more it seems false. Never underestimate the combination of common sense and your gut.
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