Philadelphia CPA Shares Tips For Protecting Your Identity When Shopping Online
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On this Black Friday, not everyone is braving the crowds at the mall. Many are getting their deals online.
In order to keep your information safe from identity thieves, start by looking for safe sites when shopping online, says Kirsten Flanagan, a CPA in Center City.
"In the user address bar, it has the 'https' [and] the 's' stands for a secure website. That means they use encryption technology, which helps scramble the information so others cannot get access to it," Flanagan explains.
Pay with a credit card, never a debit or check card, because if the site is hacked and your information is stolen, that person will have access to your account and all the money in it.
You should also keep a paper trail and make sure to print copies of the order invoice and documents when the item is shipped. That way, you have proof should the item not arrive and you end up trying to track down that missing perfect holiday present.
