CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have put somewhat of a damper on the upcoming holiday shopping season.
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday three weeks away, and with so many people unemployed this year due to the pandemic, buying and paying for gifts will likely be done online with a credit or debit card.
So, here’s some tips to help you protect your money as you shop.
1. Use home WiFi, not public. Your private information is better protected.
2. It’s better to use a credit card to make purchases instead of debit cards. Your information is better protected from fraud.
3. Make sure retailers' websites are secure. Look for a 'lock' symbol at the top of websites and make sure the website address includes an 'http'. Both will indicate the site uses encryption to protect your data.
4. Always be checking your banking and credit card statements for suspicious activity.
5. If the deal sounds too good to be true, do your homework on the retailer. Compare offers from different retailers and make sure they're secure.
Once those purchases make their way to your home, Katie Galan with the Better Business Bureau recommends protecting your items from being stolen by porch pirates by requiring a signature upon delivery.
