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What will you do in honor of International Data Privacy Day?
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Home > Articles > Smart Shopping, Online and Off
| Smart Shopping, Online and Off |
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The pleasure of shopping can evaporate if it results in the loss of your personal privacy. Damages can range from receiving unwanted marketing materials and e-mail (spam) to fraudulent charges and identity theft.
Here are some shopping do's and don't's to help keep you and your family protected from personal-information predators.
Shopping Do's
- Do question the sales associate who asks for your phone number; why are they asking, and is it necessary? (It's okay to give your ZIP code because it alone is not personally identifiable.)
- Do consider getting a money card from your bank. Unlike a debit card, a money card can only be used to withdraw money at an ATM; you cannot use it to make purchases. Because it requires a PIN to access funds, a money card can be more secure than a debit card.
- Do check the privacy policy of a shopping Web site (see Understanding Privacy Statements).
- Do look at the Web address for "https" (s means secure) and a key or lock in the right-hand corner of your browser.
- Do be aware of what you are opting into when online, and remember it when you get e-mail messages.
- Do only use reputable companies on the Internet; check with the Better Business Bureau® (BBBOnLine®) or perform an internet search with the company's name and the word "complaint."
Shopping Don't's
- Don't "loan" your credit card to a family member who might lose it.
- Don't enter credit card information on a non-secure Web site.
- Don't use public networks or cyber cafés to do banking or make online purchases.
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