Times are tough and budgets are tight so when it comes to holiday shopping, everyone\u2019s looking for a deal. However, if your quest for the ultimate savings threatens your safety, whether in the real world or online, you\u2019ve lost sight of your priorities. Waking up at three in the morning to score a great Black Friday discount or finding a website offering a CD box set at 90% off both sound like great ways to hold onto some of your hard-earned cash, but if your personal safety or sensitive information are compromised, at the end of the day you\u2019re going to pay a lot more than you would have saved. Here\u2019s how to prevent that from happening.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re sure to find a great many enticing in-store offers on Black Friday. Just don\u2019t make the mistake of visiting these stores alone in the dead of night. That walk into and out of the store is scary, and criminals do pay attention to these sorts of sales. If you can\u2019t find someone willing to accompany you on your quest to score a deal, you might want to rethink the idea. Nothing is more important than your physical safety.<\/p>\n
Decide which credit cards you\u2019re going to use<\/a> on any particular shopping trip and take only those with you. You don\u2019t want to be in a position to have to contact multiple credit card companies and notify them that your cards have been stolen, especially this time of year when you\u2019re going to need them on a regular basis.<\/p>\n If you intend to pay for something by check, do not take your entire checkbook with you. This is one of the easier ways criminals can steal your identity. Instead, take one check \u2013 or multiple checks if you\u2019re visiting more than one store \u2013 and write the name of the payee on it before you leave home. Fill in the amount of the check in-store and sign it as your transaction is being processed.<\/p>\n Just because you find an Internet deal for 50% off a flat-screen TV doesn\u2019t mean you should take advantage of it. There are plenty of rogue websites out there which collect your credit card information after offering such deals. Once they have it, your item never arrives and you\u2019re likely to be hit with fraudulent charges. Investigate any suspect online operation through the Better Business Bureau website and stay away from any online retailers with multiple customer complaints. You can also research businesses at the website Ripoff Report.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re out shopping, be sure to always carry your cell phone with you. This can be invaluable should your car break down, and speaking on the phone can be an effective deterrent to any would-be criminals. It\u2019s also helpful to be able to make a quick phone call to a loved one to say you\u2019re on your way home. Be sure to password protect your phone and activate an anti-theft solution<\/a>, however, in case it is lost or stolen.<\/p>\n3. Never Bring Your Checkbook<\/h3>\n
4. Be Wary of Lesser-Known Websites<\/h3>\n
5. Always Carry Your Cell Phone<\/h3>\n
6. Avoid Shopping on Public Wi-Fi Networks<\/h3>\n