Stay Safe While Shopping

Outsmarting the bad guys is proving more difficult every day.  Target was hacked.  Home Depot was hacked.  Personally, my credit card information was stolen.  So many things to worry about...sometimes I think about just paying cash for everything.  I realize I can't as a credit card it almost a necessity for online shopping.  

I was listening to my local AM radio station (shout out to Bill Wills and WTAM in Cleveland), and they were talking about what to do and not do when shopping for Black Friday.  This article is a definite must read before embarking on any shopping venture.  Andrew Smith and Matt Granite were nice enough to post "8 Ways to Outsmart Hackers", and the link can be found at (http://www.wkyc.com/story/money/personal-finance/ways-to-save/2014/11/18/matt-granite-safer-shopping/19208831/)  
Here's what their article says:

1. Use Cash! Obviously this technique is only recommended when you're shopping with a major well-established retailer who will honor a receipt and return your cash if you have a problem with merchandise.

2. Use a Pre Paid Credit Card! Hands-down my favorite way to shop online or in-store. I recommend Bluebird by American Express - a completely free way to pay, with added free checking and saving features.

3. Shop Deals Online With Us Black Friday and Cyber Monday! We only provide deals from merchants with incredible track records and the highest SSL protection. Obviously data breaches happen but online, your credit card is not handled by a store employee, and the encryption technologies on a safe Wifi network is a good alternative.

4. Do not click on any ad email you receive directly on Cyber Monday, Black Friday or in general. Drag your cursor over any hyperlink to check the legitimacy of a URL before you click it. Even consider visiting a company's website directly but don't just click that link!

5. Get a paper receipt for everything! Some emailed receipts are not always delivered and not every store on earth needs your email address. When asked if you want a paper or e-receipt, I always vote for the hard copy.

6. Cross-check your bills against a credit card statement. Stores make all sorts of errors and with larger crowds and higher volume, a cross-check keeps you prepared.

7. Ditch the debit card! When you use a debit card you're giving someone direct access to your bank account. I never support this method of payment.

8. If a deal link or offer seems too good to be true, it might be - especially on Black Friday. You're welcome to check any deals with us first. Also keep in mind brands like Apple, Uggs, Amazon Tablets, Kate Spade etc are all price-controlled. That means deals past the 60% mark never occur.