HOW TO SHOP ONLINE SAFELY!!

 

 

Get ready to shop online SAFELY! These are just a few tips and pointers that will help guide you!

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BEFORE YOU PROCEED BELOW GRAB A PEN AND AND PAPER SO YOU CAN WRITE DOWN THE SITE YOU ARE SHOPPING ON AS WELL AS YOUR USER NAME AND PASSWORD SO YOU DO NOT FORGET!!!  

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1 - Whenever you go to a particular site that you would like to make an online purchase i.e. Macy's, Best Buy, etc., sometimes you will have to create a user name and a password, some sites will allow you to shop as a "guest".  Always use the "guest" if you can.

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2 - If you need to create a user name and password, proceed with signing up.  Note some sites will ask that you use an upper case letter as well as a number and possibly a character such as ! # %; some sites will ask you to put in your email address, etc. just follow the instructions.

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      Example - Emanresu3848! (this would be your user name)

                     - Drowssap4656! (this would be your password)

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3 - You will then need create a password; the same applies, be sure to use one upper case letter, at least 4 numbers and a character; this will create a solid password (see sample above).  Try to be creative when setting up a user name and password; try using the name of a movie and spell it backwards or the name of a movie star/TV star and spell it backwards as well and you can also put a dot "." between the words and numbers, i.e. Drowssap.4656!

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4 - You should designate one credit card for ALL of your online purchases so if there are any problems you know exactly which card you have used.  Another safe way to do your shopping is to purchase a credit card at either Target, Walgreens, etc. Visa, MasterCard, fill it with at least $200 and use that card ONLY for online purchases.  You can purchase additional cards when you need them.  NEVER EVER use a Debit card for online purchases!!! I cannot stress this enough......

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5 - Of course your credit cards state to "sign the back of the card with your name"; NEVER EVER do that either; if you do then the person who steals your credit card has your signature that they can copy...in lieu of signing your card you should put "check ID"...that way when the store or waiter checks your card they will ask for your ID as they should!

 

6 - Be sure to print your confirmation so you have the order number in case you need to check on your order etc. 

 

7 - You want to be sure that your credit cards as wells your Drivers License cannot be scared by criminals.  You should purchase inexpensive RFID blocking sleeves that go over your credit card to block them from scanning to obtain your information.  You can also purchase an RFID compliant wallet and in the interim you can insert a sheet of aluminum foil in your wallet and that will protect you until you can purchase one of the above.  

 

Utilizing these tips will ensure that you have a safe and fun experience when you are shopping online!

 

If you have any questions, please be sure to fill out the contact form on my home page and I will respond back to you as soon as I can!