It's that time of year again and everyone is hitting up the malls and taking to the internet to buy for their loved ones. But do you really know how to maximize your shopping trips in every aspect?
During the holiday season there are plenty of deals to go around, but there are also plenty of scams! May I remind you of the 2013 Target breach or the several other major breaches earlier this year?
So not only do you not want to get ripped off, you don't want to get scammed either! Here are a few "tricks" (or tips) to keep your bank account safe and your wallet fat- well less empty in this case- when you are shopping online.
1. Shop on secure sites. Make sure the websites you are shopping on are secure and have the "Verified" logo on them. This will help you to eliminate fishy companies that may be an easier target for criminals.
2. Use your credit card. Using a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online is a must. In the event that you do become a victim of fraud, it is much easier to dispute those charges with a credit card company than your local bank.
3. Use a credit card that gives cash back. There are a lot of credit card companies that offer cash back on your purchases when using their credit card. It may be as low as 1% cash back, but every penny counts and those pennies add up fast!
4. Use Ebates. Ebates is a national and trusted website that offers its members cash back on their online purchases. They also give their members coupons and deals for their favorite stores. The best part is that it's free to join. By using this site when shopping online, you can earn up to 50% cash back. If you've caught on to what I am getting at then you will see that using a cash back credit card and Ebates will essentially earn you DOUBLE cash back! Now that's what I call maximizing! Click here to start using Ebates today.
5. Last but not least, make sure to pay off your credit card. Millions of people go into credit card debt over the holidays. Don't let that be you. Once your purchase transactions post- pay them off!
I hope this information will help you the next time you browse the web to make a purchase. It certainly has helped me! Shop smart everyone!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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