Community Corner

5 Tips for Safe Online Shopping from Lilburn Police

Be safe while shopping this holiday season-- even if you're doing your shopping over the internet.

You have two weeks left to get all your Christmas shopping done. Many people will decide to skip the malls and make most of their purchases online.

The Lilburn Police Department offers these tips to make sure your cyber shopping is safe:

1. Wi-Fi hotspots can also be hotspots for thieves. Police say while it's okay to browse online, they do not recommend you send any personal or financial information over an unsecured connection using a public Wi-Fi connection.

2. Shop where you know. Go to websites of trusted retailers. Also, make sure you've spelled the website correctly. Look for a URL address that starts with "https://" or with a closed padlock in your browser bar to make sure it's secure. Also, check the site's or eBay seller's reviews to make sure they are reputable and read up on their return, cancellation and complaint policies.

3. Pay with a credit card instead of a debit card. With a credit card, you are more easily able to dispute fraudulent charges. Also, regularly check your bank and credit card charges to make sure all of the purchases were made or approved by you. And print or save copies of your orders to avoid any discrepancies.

4. Be careful with the information you provide. A legitimate online retailer will never ask you for your birthdate or social security number to make a purchase.

5. Watch out for suspicious e-mails from scammers posing as banks, shipping companies and sellers. Don't click on the links in a suspicious email. If you think you've come across a fraudulent website or are a victim of cyber crime, you can report it with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. City of Lilburn residents can also contact Lilburn Police.


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