Online Shopping Safety

General Rules to Follow

1. Research sites if you are considering a purchase. Check out user reviews and see if others have had issues.
2. Never click on links in emails and texts. Go straight to the company websites. Always check your address bar to make sure you are at the correct website.
3. Do not give out more information when making purchases than necessary. No company should need your social security number for you to make a purchase. Only fill the fields that are required when you complete your purchase. To purchase an item, you should only need to give out your name, address, phone number, and payment information. Guard your personal information.

Online Shopping Safety

• Always look for https: in the address bar on sites where you are shopping. The s on the end means that the connection is secure. There will also usually be a lock icon to indicate this as well.
• Keep your computer safe with anti-virus software.

Adapted from Chicagotribune.com

• If price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always compare prices and be skeptical of any seller offering an item at a drastically reduced price. Make sure to verify the condition of the item and research the seller.

Adapted from google.com/safetycenter

• Beware of the fine print. If something says it is free or heavily discounted, you may be signing up for a trial which is only free for 30 days or you may be charged for more items and have them shipped automatically after a certain time period. Beware of any “free” item that requires your credit card information.
• Register your card for the CardValet app so that you will get alerts for debit card based on spending limits, location or merchant type. To get instructions for downloading and using the CardValet app, call or come by the Credit Union.