Review your rights. The Better Business Bureau reminds shoppers that if products aren't shipping on time, consumers have the right to cancel the order and get a refund. They can also reject merchandise they deem defective or misrepresented.
Avoid strangers on social media. This rule is especially important around the holidays, when many retailers use social media to drum up business. Fraudsters also send malicious messages through social networks. BitDefender recommends treating messages from strangers as spam—just ignore them.
Don't click on fake holiday e-cards. Festive e-greetings are ubiquitous this time of year, but security firm AppRiver says fake cards can spread viruses. At the risk of being Scrooge, the firm recommends that consumers just delete cards that come from unknown addresses.
Review your statements after the holidays. Unfamiliar charges on credit card and bank statements are often the first sign of identity theft. If you find an unauthorized charge on your statement, contact your bank or credit card company immediately. Your bank might be able to provide other protective steps as well, such as issuing a new card. [See Is It Safe to Bank Online?]
Twitter: @alphaconsumer
Reader Comments