BBB Tips for a Successful Cyber Monday
The Monday after Black Friday, widely known as Cyber Monday, remains one of the biggest online shopping days of the year. However, many holiday deals now begin well before Thanksgiving and continue throughout the season, with some sales starting as early as Halloween.
While online shopping can be convenient and cost-effective, it also comes with risks. Misleading ads, lookalike websites, and untrustworthy sellers are common this time of year. The BBB offers tips to help you shop safely, avoid scams, and protect both your personal information and your hard-earned money.
BBB provides the following recommendations for a safe and secure Cyber Monday:
Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company sells the hottest item of the year at a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Watch out for false advertising and closely monitor the web address in your browser. Scammers love to create lookalike websites that, at first glance, appear to belong to a trusted retailer. Ensure that your site has the correct business name spelling, legitimate contact information and working customer service numbers.
Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only. Be wary of businesses you aren’t familiar with. Check their BBB Business Profile on BBB.org, review the rating, and read customer reviews. In addition, be sure any web page you purchase from is secure. Secure web addresses begin with “HTTPS, “not just “HTTP.” Never put personal or credit card information in forms on non-secure web pages.
Keep your antivirus software up to date. Ensure you have antivirus software installed on your computer or mobile device and that it is current. This protection will help you avoid non-secure websites and pop-up phishing scams and help keep your personal information safe.
Price check before you buy. Dozens of online retailers will claim they have the best price on an item, but their offers can be misleading. Do your homework by comparing prices. Remember that the best deal may not be the real deal.
Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers offer them.
Use your credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If shady charges appear later, you can contest them through your credit card company. Debit cards usually don’t offer this same protection. Never purchase with online sellers by giving them prepaid debit cards or wiring money.
Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers. Read the fine print before you buy. Understand the return or exchange policy for the item you want to purchase. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. Be sure to get gift receipts so the recipient can return or exchange the item if necessary.
Watch out for phishing scams. Busy schedules and increased purchases make it easier to miss – and fall victim to – a phishing scam. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, calls, or letters. These messages may claim you have a gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. Avoid phishing scams by ignoring suspicious correspondence and calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.
Look for the BBB Seal. It’s the Sign of a Better Business. Shop with confidence and peace of mind, avoid scams, and make smart purchase decisions on Cyber Monday and this holiday season by choosing businesses that prioritize trust and ethics in the marketplace. BBB Accredited Businesses adhere to the BBB Standards and will display the BBB Seal.
For more information
Check out BBB’s tips on online shopping. If you’ve spotted an online scam, report it to BBB ScamTracker.
About BBB: BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million companies, 11,000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb.org for more information. BBB Serving Central East Texas was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.