Holiday Shopping Tips & Scams
December 2nd, 2019
Holiday shopping season is upon us! Whether you’re shopping in store, online or both, TopLine Financial Credit Union wants to keep your holiday shopping merry and bright! Here are a couple of holiday shopping tips:
- Make a list and a budget: You’re less likely to impulse buy when you have a game plan. Think about how much you’re willing to put on your credit card and how you’ll pay it off.
- Do your research: Look into reviews and recommendations on sellers and products. Donating to a charity or crowdfunding cause as a gift? Search around to make sure it’s legitimate.
- Look for the best deals: Use websites that compare prices for items online and in your local stores. Also look up coupon codes by searching the store’s name with terms like “coupons,” “discounts,” or “free shipping.” Look for rebates as well.
- Keep track of your purchases: Make sure the price at the check-out (or your online cart) is correct and save all your receipts. Keep track of online order numbers and refund/return policies.
- Give gifts, not personal information: When online shopping, protect yourself by only using secure websites with an “https” address. Stick to shopping apps that tell you what they do with your data and how they keep it secure.
Current Holiday Scam:
Tis the season of holiday shopping packages piling up on your doorstep. A current scam might just have you with one too many Amazon packages on your stoop. “Brushing” is a scheme involving random packages from Amazon showing up – that you didn’t order.
Why it’s Not a Good Thing:
- This means your name, shipping address, and possibly phone number has been compromised.
- If the phantom seller sends illegal items to your home, you could find yourself in trouble for it, not the seller.
- This can mean higher costs for things you actually order.
For more information, check out our Financial Scams page on our website.