Pittsburg Police Offer Online Shopping Safety Tips

Safety Tips from the Pittsburg Police Department for Online Commerce during the holidays. Before you click to buy that “must have” item on your holiday list, check out these tips below to make sure you’re doing everything you can to avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime:

• Secure your mobile device and computer. Be sure to keep the operating system and application software updated/patched on all of your computers and mobile devices.

• Know and trust your online shopping merchants. Limit your online shopping to merchants you know and trust. If you have questions about a merchant, check with the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

• Password protect your mobile device and computer. It’s the simplest and one of the most important steps to take to secure your mobile device and computer. If you need to create an account with the merchant, be sure to use a strong password.

• Avoid scams and fraud. Don’t ever give your financial information or personal information over e-mail or text. Be aware of unsolicited communications purporting to represent stores or charities. Always think before you click on e-mails you receive asking for donations and contact the organization directly to verify the request.

• Do not use public computers or public wireless for your online shopping. Public computers may contain malicious software that steals your credit card information when you place your order.

• Pay by credit card, not debit card. The safest way to shop on the Internet is to pay with a credit card rather than debit card, as credit cards are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act and may reduce your liability if your information was used improperly.

• Carefully review your credit card statements as soon as you receive them to confirm that all charges are legitimate. Contact your credit card company immediately if you have unauthorized charges on your account.

• If you encounter any problems with an online shopping site, you should contact the seller or site operator directly.

To find more information about how consumers can protect themselves from online fraud and identity theft, visit the National Crime Prevention website at www.ncpc.org or the Federal Trade Commission’s website at www.ftc.gov.

You may also contact the Pittsburg Police Department with any questions or concerns.