Last-minute Cyber Monday advice, mistakes to avoid

Cyber Monday security and savings

DETROIT – Shopping online is bigger than ever. Even as many of you were hitting the stores over the holiday weekend, you were also shopping on your computers, tablets, and phones. One expert said online sales topped $500 million online by Thursday afternoon.

Now comes Cyber Monday and "Help Me Hank" can show you how to avoid some cybersecurity mistakes and save more money.

If you're lucky enough to have the day off, you can probably take your time shopping online for hours. However, many of you will probably be doing your shopping right under your boss' nose.

"Ninety-five percent of consumers are planning to shop on the job, so they don't miss the Cyber Monday deals," said Sara Skirboll of RetailMeNot.com. The website, dedicated to saving shoppers money, did some research and found shopping at work is running rampant. That 95 percent figure is up 10 percent over 2014.

How to save more

There are a few key steps to saving more money on Cyber Monday. The first step is a no-brainer, but it's a step many people skip.

"It sounds so simple, but make a list. Know what you're going in for. Know what you need," Skirboll said.

Even if you're just waking up, there's still time to make that list before you start surfing your favorite shopping sites. However, you should also remember some deals are better than others on Cyber Monday.

"What I like to tell people, as a shopping expert, is that you can pick up better deals in certain categories on Cyber Monday," Skirboll said.

Shopping insiders say you'll find the most savings on toys, appliances, office supplies, shoes and beauty products. So when you make that list you might want to focus on those areas to maximize savings.

Skirboll also said the sooner you start shopping on Cyber Monday, the better. "If you're looking for a particular toy, this is a great example. You don't want that toy to sell out. You don't want a sad little kid!"

Cyber shoppers also need to be savvy about shipping. On Cyber Monday, you should be able to find free shipping from most retailers, or you might want to shop elsewhere. Whenever you shop online, know what shipping will cost before you make a purchase. There are also other ways to get your items.

"A ton of retailers, everyone from American Eagle to Macy's, is doing buy online, pick up in stores," Skirboll said.

Security precautions; be safe!

No matter where you shop, make sure you're following basic cybersecurity precautions. Scammers and hackers know you are sharing a lot of personal information this time of year, and you don't want to make it any easier for them to rip you off. Here's a list of steps that can help you protect your information.

  • NEVER share account or personal information on unsecured Wi-Fi connections. You may sit down at a coffee shop, see a great deal online, but don't make that purchase on a public connection. You never know who could be waiting to steal that information.
  • When entering payment information, you should verify that HTTPS is in your address bar to protect yourself from identity thieves. URLs that begin with https instead of the standard http are secured by SSL,an Internet security protocol.
  • Be very careful when surfing the Web, that you don't click on a fake website. Scammers will try to create websites that look like your favorite retailer.
  • Be very careful about any email or text offers you receive unsolicited! Scammers will send you an email that appears to be from your favorite retailer, but they're trying to steal your information or get you to click on malware. It's much better to get out of that email, find the legitimate site and then decide if you want to make a purchase.
  • Always look for a customer service number and make sure it works before placing an order. If you can't find a customer service number or physical address for the company you're about to share information with, that could be a huge red flag.
  • Beware of doing business with overseas companies you don't know well. There are plenty of reputable companies overseas, but if you run into a problem, getting your money back or exchanging the item can become extremely difficult.
  • Try to avoid using a debit card for any online shopping. If there is a breach, cyber thieves could gain access to your actual bank account and steal money from you. While you will likely get the cash back, it could cause checks to bounce or other cash-flow problems in the short term.
  • Use just one credit card for online purchases. That will also minimize your exposure if there is some type of problem. Replacing one credit card is easier than having to replace two or three if you use multiple cards during the season.
  • Check return and refund policies. Will you pay for the return, or will the retailer? Be especially wary of sales that are "final sale" or "cash-only."
  • And finally, a great piece of advice about how to use from email effectively from shopping expert Elisabeth Leamy: "Here's what I suggest to all of my friends and family, set up a separate email account because none of us wants to communicate with friends and family to be full of shopping offers."
  • If you're a frequent online shopper, having that separate email will keep all your shopping offers in one place. That account shouldn't have any other personal information, in case there's a breach. Also, remember to have a separate password for that account so it doesn't match the password for other, more sensitive accounts.

    Finally, don't forget to shop for yourself during the busy holiday season. Most of the focus is on buying gifts, but this season is also a good time to stock up on items you need for yourself, your home and those you love. It's all about the savings and staying safe.

    Happy Holidays!


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