Attorney General DeWine Offers Five Tips to Avoid Scams While Shopping Online

(COLUMBUS) – As consumers shop online during Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is encouraging them to protect their personal information and avoid scams online.

“It’s a busy time of year, but it’s important not to let your guard down when it comes to identity theft and fraud prevention,” Attorney General DeWine said. “We encourage people to check out the websites they’re using before entering payment information, to be careful about the type of payment they use when shopping online, and to watch for signs of a scam.”

The Monday after Thanksgiving, known as Cyber Monday, is considered one of the biggest online shopping days of the year, and according to survey results from the National Retail Federation, almost half of holiday shopping (browsing and buying) will occur online this year. Those looking to grab deals online the whole year round may want to keep their eyes glued to sites like Raise in order to find the latest coupons and discounts available for some of the country’s favorite stores.

To avoid scams while shopping online, Attorney General DeWine offers consumers the following recommendations:

Install updates on your devices before shopping. Installing updates on your phone, tablet, computer, or other electronic devices can add new security patches and critical files, so make sure your apps, anti-virus software, operating systems, and other important programs are up to date before entering payment information. Remember to download or install updates only from the official app provider.
Review complaints against online sellers. Check for consumer complaints on file with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and Better Business Bureau. Also use a search engine to type the name of the company or website along with terms such as “complaint,” “scam,” or “review.” If you find mostly negative information, or if you find no information at all, be skeptical. Don’t enter any personal information if a website seems less than credible.
Use a secure Internet connection. Before entering a credit card number or other personal information, be sure the web address begins with “https” instead of “http.” The “s” indicates a secure connection. Also, do not use free, public Wi-Fi to log in to your bank accounts or to enter your credit card or other financial account information.
Pay with a credit card. When you pay with a credit card, you generally have stronger protections against fraudulent charges. Be sure to save documentation, such as invoices and confirmation emails, to compare them against your credit card statements. If you find any unusual activity or unauthorized purchases, report it to your credit card provider immediately. Also, be suspicious of any sellers that require you to pay via wire transfer or prepaid money card. These are preferred payment methods for scam artists, because it is difficult to recover or trace the money once it’s sent. When doing any kind of monetary transaction, such as playing on online casinos, it’s important to be aware of the casino payment methods and select one which will ensure your financial security.
Don’t respond to pop-up messages. Some pop-up messages are placed by scam artists hoping to obtain your money or personal information. For example, in one version of the “tech support scam,” you receive a pop-up message from someone who claims to represent your computer company and says your device has been infected with a virus. The message prompts you to call for more information. Eventually a representative asks you for payment information or access to your computer to help fix the problem. Even if it sounds legitimate, it’s actually a scam.
In October, Attorney General DeWine announced a new cybersecurity awareness campaign to help Ohioans avoid identity theft and cyber fraud. The grant-funded program includes cybersecurity messages that are being displayed in public transit systems and made available for libraries and schools throughout Ohio. It also includes community education about online security and privacy.

Consumers who want to learn more about cybersecurity or report a potential scam should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or 800-282-0515.