20 Ways To Shop Safely: Watch Out For These Shopping Scams!

What do you think of this photo of Katie Holmes shopping with her child? Easy targets perhaps?

Though Christmas is over, the winter retail season is still in full swing. I actually don’t shop very often since I don’t enjoy the activity very much, but this is one of those times when I do come out to make purchases. The main reason of course is the fact that large sales abound at stores trumpeting their heavily discounted wares (especially in the Holiday or Seasonal department).

But as you go about doing your after holiday shopping sprees, as I will be in the next few days, take note that the thieves and ne’er do wells are also out and about to prey on the unsuspecting. It’s quite obvious why this would happen — more crowds attract more opportunists of all sorts and the end result isn’t pretty: shoplifting, ID theft, returns fraud, gift card scams and organized retail theft, etc. Everyone is distracted and less vigilant — store personnel are busy attending to crowds while customers are busy checking out the merchandise and are less aware of their surroundings.

Keep your eye out for problems that may arise during busy retail seasons:

Watch Out For These Scams and High Risk Scenarios

• Organized groups alight upon stores, create minor disturbances, then sweep the shelves off of items like beauty products, clothes, and even baby food to be resold on eBay and other auction sites for a profit.
• With increased shoppers, stores hire more temporary workers who may not be carefully screened.
• Stores get a false sense of security by implementing technological programs and checks while cutting back on security staff and other personnel. Big companies attempt to cut down on costs and increase profits with a smaller security department which thieves can further exploit.
• Have you heard of gift card scams? There’s a small risk that thieves can simply lift the account numbers from the backs of gift cards because they are ubiquitous, available and convenient. To fight this problem, manufacturers have installed scratch-off security codes, protective packaging, special confirmation or id numbers on these cards. Still, they’re a target for criminals.
• In cyberspace, even the best of us aren’t immune to fraud trends. Even the most computer savvy person I know — my spouse — fell victim to phishing last year. He received an email from Paypal asking him to verify his financial information, which he completely fell for. It’s something I tease him about to this day. Be careful whose email you click on — check the legitimacy of urls and internet addresses on the messages you receive.
• And recently, I’ve stumbled onto sites that appeared to carry viruses. My anti-spyware utilities flashed warning bells when I accidentally found myself on those malware carrying sites. These sites contain software (called Trojans) that attempt to download themselves onto your computer, ready to capture your sensitive financial information through your own key strokes which they track surreptitiously. Cleverly, these sites can be a step ahead by exploiting software loopholes that may not have patches yet.
• More irritating: these phishing and trojan sites have figured out how to “game” Web search results by using Google or other search keywords in their sites that allow them to rank higher for those keywords. You’ll need to check those site addresses before you click on them! Here is such an example:

What can we do to protect ourselves? Here are a few tips to consider:

How To Shop Safely Online

#1 When shopping online, try to use credit cards over debit cards if you can. Supposedly, credit card companies are a step ahead when it comes to catching and detecting fraud.

#2 Turn off your computer when it’s not in use. Reboot often!

#3 Recognize a phishing site immediately by installing and utilizing an anti-phishing toolbar in your browser.

#4 Update your software patches for your computer applications (especially your browser), operating system and other software utilities. Scan your computer for weak points and viruses through software and tools you can get from security vendors. Don’t use a computer that isn’t equipped with anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall programs.

#5 Think before you click. Be suspicious of email sent to you and check internet addresses before clicking on them.

#6 How about an online counterpart of the Better Business Bureau? Check out and screen online outfits and internet sites via the BBBOnline, Inc, a Better Business Bureau program.

#7 Shop at familiar web sites and sites from well-known retailers. For new sites you have not visited before, read their privacy policies to find out how they use your information once they’ve collected it.

#8 Do regular file back ups.

#9 More useful tips can be found at OnGuard Online from the Federal Trade Commission, Stay Safe Online from the National Cyber Security Alliance and Safe Shopping from the American Bar Association.

How To Shop Safely In Brick And Mortar Stores

#1 Check gift cards carefully before purchasing them. Only buy those cards with the bar code on the card itself and not on the packaging!

#2 Be vigilant while using the ATM.

#3 Don’t carry around valuable information such as your Social Security card. If you can, memorize your personal information such as social security numbers and passwords.

#4 Make sure you have copies of important materials that you keep in a safe place. If your information ever gets lost or stolen, it’ll be easier to inform the necessary institutions about the details to help expedite your case.

#5 Hold on to your packages, bags, purses carefully while shopping. I know this may not deter a determined thief, but criminals usually find the easiest marks. If you look like a tough cookie, they’ll avoid you.

#6 Shop during the day as much as possible.

#7 Shop with a companion as much as possible. But if you’re shopping with children, be extra watchful as they cause more distractions when they’re in tow.

#8 Park in areas with good lighting.

#9 Don’t carry large sums of cash. Okay, so this is one advantage credit cards may have over cash. Other than convenience, credit cards also have the advantage of minimizing your losses against theft especially when fraud is caught early.

#10 Keep your receipts in a safe place.

#11 Dress casually and inconspicuously. I’m surprised about how some people love to shop while dressed to the nines! They’ll certainly attract attention — quite possibly from unwanted sources as well.

How To Report Fraud

#1 Contact your State Attorney General.

#2 Contact the Federal Trade Commission, (877) 382-4357 (general helpline) or (877) 438-4338 (identity theft helpline).

In summary, we just need to be vigilant, aware and be able to practice common sense while out and about. Here’s wishing you a safe and pleasant shopping experience!

 
Image Credit: SF Gate

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Categorized under: Fraud, Crime and Other Things Gone Awry, Smart Spending