Safe internet shopping

November 27, 2017

Many consumers are shopping for the holidays online. Keep your apps, anti-virus software, operating systems, and other important programs up to date. Purchase goods only from trusted websites (tip: you can check a store’s reputation by researching complaint history at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. Also, use a search engine to look up consumer reviews by searching for the company’s name along with terms such as “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.”)

Whenever you disclose personal or financial information over the Internet, use secure websites: look for the lock symbol and the “s” in “https:” at the beginning of the website address. Do not use free, public Wi-Fi to log in to any accounts or conduct any financial transactions, and only provide as much personal information as is necessary. Be aware of the store’s privacy policy so you know if your information will be stored, sold, or shared.