How to shop safely online
- Use familiar, reputable websites. It’s always best to stick to websites that have a good reputation and that you know are legitimate. Walmart, Amazon, and Wayfair are all examples. If you stumble onto a site you’ve never heard of before, do some research before making a purchase through it.
- Strong passwords are your best friend. Never use a password that is easy to guess or too simple. A strong password contains lower case letters, upper case letters, numbers, and usually a symbol.
- If a website is asking for too much information, it should be a red flag. A website should not ask you for social security number to make a purchase. Be cautious because scammers love to steal personal information.
- Check your credit card and bank statements regularly to monitor for any out-of-the-ordinary activity.
- Having a secure computer is incredibly important when shopping online. SecureIT is a web security solution through PTCI’s Tech Home offer. It will protect you from malicious software that wants to steal information like credit card numbers.
- Avoid shopping on public WiFi networks. These networks are not secure and someone could gain access to your financial information.
