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7 Tips on How to NOT be a Victim of Identity Theives

With less than months left until Christmas, many people are already thinking about holiday shopping. In 2010, more than $36 billion dollars was spent in online shopping over the holiday season and this year, it’s expected billions will be spent again in online shopping. However, before parents log online and start spreading the holiday cheer this season, there are 7 simple and easy tips for you and your entire family this shopping season thanks to the team at SafetyWeb.com.

1. Use a credit card – with common sense. 

Never give out information to an individual who claims to be contacting you from a certain company without verifying their identity. Always make sure you are keeping track of the charges as they pop up on your statement and be sure to track for any fraudulent charges and transactions.

2. Use a credit card, not a debit card. 

Credit cards offer buyer protection against fraud and other issues and debit cards can offer a direct line into your bank account, meaning the scammer can deplete all your personal on-hand funds immediately.

3. Be aware of phishing websites. 

These are websites that are set up to look exactly like popular online retailers, although the URLs will be a bit different. According to the FTC, these sites are called, “phishing” sites and are set up to steal your information. Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox both have the ability to check for phishing websites.

4. Ignore pop-up messages while on shopping sites. 

Never click on a pop-up, make sure you set up your browser to block pop-up messages.

5. Talk to your kids about online shopping.

Your children may be old enough to do some shopping of their own online, and make sure if they plan to log online, they understand the dangers of doing so. Suggest they never do so alone by having a responsible adult with them at all times. Also, make sure they are responsible for the internet before allowing them to shop online.

6. Choose your merchants carefully. 

Make sure you are buying from names you know and trust. Confirm the retailer actually exists by confirming the address and phone number in case you need to contact them if you have questions or concerns.

7. Know what you are buying and the terms of the deal. 

Make sure you are fully aware of refund policies and delivery dates. You don’t want to be stuck with something you can’t return and also don’t want to find out your friend or family member won’t be getting their gift on time.

Finding the perfect gift should be fun and enjoyable! Taking the time to prevent you and your family from becoming a statistic, will go a long way to ensuring your holiday season will be a holly-jolly one.

About Julee: Julee Morrison is an experienced author with 35 years of expertise in parenting and recipes. She is the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook. Julee is passionate about baking, crystals, reading, and family. Her writing has appeared in The LA Times (Bon Jovi Obsession Goes Global), Disney's Family Fun Magazine (August 2010, July 2009, September 2008), and My Family Gave Up Television (page 92, Disney Family Fun August 2010). Her great ideas have been featured in Disney's Family Fun (Page 80, September 2008) and the Write for Charity book From the Heart (May 2010). Julee's work has also been published in Weight Watchers Magazine, All You Magazine (Jan. 2011, February 2011, June 2013), Scholastic Parent and Child Magazine (Oct. 2011), Red River Family Magazine (Jan. 2011), BonAppetit.com, and more. Notably, her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" made AP News, and "The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit" was featured on PopSugar. When she's not writing, Julee enjoys spending time with her family and exploring new baking recipes.
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