CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Before you log online to start shopping for holiday gifts, remember thieves are waiting to steal your money and possibly your identity. Here’s how you can keep your credit card safe this holiday season.
Kiesha Cassel is all about a good deal when it comes to shopping online, “I’m a Groupon person, I like all the specials. I’m emailed constantly. A lot of things are online only, like today I got an email from bath and body works about a special that’s only offered online.”
Firefold’s E-Commerce Manager Sabrina Williams says its not as simple as clicking and paying. There are some things you need to do first to protect yourself, “Before you actually go shopping make sure that you’re virus protection and browsers are up to date.”
As a form of precaution, Cassel pays close attention to the Veri-Sign symbol, “The Leggo store or Walmart I’m all familiar with that, but when it comes to a website I’ve never been on I do look for the VeriSign check mark to make sure they’re secure.”
One thing to keep in mind, the padlock icon next to the web address doesn’t always mean its a secure site says Williams, “If you’re not familiar with them, you don’t know if you can trust them it really doesn’t go that far because those certificates can be purchased for about 7 dollars.”
Williams also warns not to click on random links on shopping sites. When it comes time to pay, she suggests using a prepaid credit card or Paypal, “That keeps your information away from the retailer it just sends the money to them so you don’t have to compromise any of your information.”
