NEW ORLEANS — As you point, click, and pay your way through online deals this holiday season, remember not everything is a deal.
“A lot of people, they’re in a rush to get things done. You see an ad, price looks really good, click on it, you submit your information, the next thing you know, you’ve probably been scammed for a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars depending on what it is,” said president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Greater New Orleans, Michael Drummond.
Drummond says keeping your hard-earned money out of the hands of criminals takes a little effort these days.
“Credit card information, personal information, passwords, you want to make sure that it’s secure to the best of your ability,” said Drummond.
Drummond says going directly to a company’s website is always the best bet. In the URL, make sure there’s an ‘s’ in 'https' and look for the padlock icon. Also, be cautious of deals that seem a little too good.
“If the pairs of shoes are typically $200 and they’re selling it for $50, probably doesn’t make too much sense,” said ARK Solvers cybersecurity expert Reginald Andre.
Andre says the more information you put out there, the easier it is to be a target for scams. While there are plenty of legitimate online deals tempting you to “buy now,” Drummond says to slow down. Price comparisons can save you money.
“Go to other sites. Make sure to see, all the prices should be within range of each other,” said Drummond. “If you find something too low be weary of that.”
If you do find yourself scammed or questioning where your money is going, call your credit card company immediately. If you’re not using a credit card, call your bank. With a late Thanksgiving this year, there’s a shorter window until Christmas. Rushed shopping decisions can lead to overspending and a lapse in online safety awareness.
“Do your research, go online, price compare, look at other sites, just be self-aware of what’s happening around you and what you’re looking at,” said Drummond.
That way you can keep looking at those boots you’ve had your eye on, instead of cleaning up a financial mess.
One strategy to help avoid overspending is called “slow shopping.” Before you click the “buy” button, give yourself time to think about whether you need that item, its value, and its price.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office released the following safety tips for shopping online.
- Make sure the website is secure by checking the URL address: To confirm a site is secure, check the URL address and make sure there is an “s” in "https://"
- Watch out for look-alike or fake websites.
- Always pay with a credit card, which will help if you need to dispute unauthorized charges.
- Beware of too-good-to-be-true contests and prize promotions.
- Be sure to read the fine print and return policies.
For more consumer safety tips, or if you have a Consumer Dispute about a business, you can head to AGLizMurrill.com/Resources. For more information, call Attorney General Murrill’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889.
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