Cyber Monday Safety

Always shop online with a credit card, not your bank/debit card. In the event something goes wrong, you will not be without your cash flow while fraudulent purchases are investigated. It's also a good idea to decline to save your card information on a retailer's site to keep your card safer.

Bookmark verified sites and avoid clicking links from emails or text messages. Only buy gift cards from credible establishments, not resellers.

Shopping online from your laptop, tablet, or phone while connected to public Wi-Fi can open the door to hackers. If you must shop on public Wi-Fi, use a virtual private network (VPN), which creates a “tunnel” that allows you to transmit your encrypted data securely.

Look for a lock icon in the top left corner of your browser bar when you're on a site. A secure site's URL should start with HTTPS and not HTTP. You might have to click on the URL to see the HTTPS. Secure sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) encryption to keep data in transit hidden from hackers.

Santa is always watching, and you should always keep eyes on your transaction history and credit report. If you spot an unauthorized transaction, call your bank or card issuer right away.

Take advantage of package tracking options. Provide specific delivery instructions and schedule deliveries to arrive when you will be home to receive your items. Consider delivery locker options or having packages delivered to a trusted person that will be present to receive items.

Following these tips will help avoid having your holiday shopping spoiled by theft or financial fraud. Happy shopping, Culver City!