Protect Your Personal Finances When Online Shopping | First Volunteer Bank

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to shop…online!

And if you are already a fan of shopping online, you are not alone. In fact, approximately 82% of shoppers purchase their holiday gifts online.

That’s why our team at First Volunteer Bank wants to make sure you are shopping safely online this holiday season. Let’s look at some ways you can have fun and be safe while shopping online this holiday season.

Look for Trusted Websites

Are there certain websites you already shop at throughout the year? Choose the websites you trust during Cyber Monday and beyond this holiday season.

If you have already shopped their site during non-holiday times, you can pretty much be sure that it is safe to shop with them during the holiday season. In all cases, you want a URL that includes “https://” at the beginning, as this indicates it’s secure.

Follow Up

If there’s a deal that you want to take advantage of online, but you have never shopped at the store or website before, then do your research. There is no harm in checking up on the company before making a purchase.

Check out review sites to see what other people have to say about the business. In general, you’ll be able to quickly gauge whether they’re worth spending money with.

If It Seems Too Good to be True…

It probably is! Although there have been some amazing deals found over the holidays (especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday), there are always businesses offering shady deals online. Trust your instinct and buy from a reputable business, even if it may cost a bit more.

Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

Who wouldn’t enjoy sitting at their local coffee shop, enjoying a nice cup of coffee and shopping online for holiday gifts? However, using a public Wi-Fi network means that hackers could take advantage of that public network to capture your credit card information and other personal details.

Therefore, especially when shopping online, avoid using the public airwaves to ensure your safety and avoid identity theft this holiday season.

Are you looking to save more cash for the holidays next year? Contact the First Volunteer Bank team today to learn how start your holiday savings account today!