Updates

• Safe Online Shopping GuidanceNovember 08, 2022

  Smartphones and the Internet have revolutionized the way consumers shop. Armed with a few search
  terms and simple clicks, we can find items, compare prices, read product
  reviews, order, and pay for all types of items from electronics, appliances,
  and tools to furniture, clothes, and groceries. Often, consumers also have the
  power to choose whether purchases will be picked up in store or delivered right
  to our doorstep. Any way you look at it, online shopping is a fast and
  convenient way to buy what we want and need.

  Online convenience also comes with some risk. Sometimes consumers don’t receive exactly what they
  ordered; get scammed by fraudulent websites; or become victims of identity
  theft and/or loss. Cybercriminals are opportunistic, and they will be seeking
  to exploit the growth in online shopping this holiday season. But don’t worry,
  with a little preparation and vigilance, consumers can safely and securely shop
  online and avoid falling victim to scams.

  Since cybercrime is largely motivated by money, that makes Black Friday and Cyber Monday very
  attractive targets for cybercriminals. And that means increased phishing
  attempts that try to get you to reveal personal information, account
  credentials, and credit card numbers. Through email, fake ads, and illegitimate
  websites, cybercriminals are hoping some unwitting consumers will let their
  guard down in the rush to secure the best deals before they’re gone.

  Since consumers often spend more than usual during the holiday season, it’s easy to lose focus when
  an email or text message arrives under the guise of your credit card provider
  or bank regarding a suspicious transaction or frozen account. Without prior
  awareness of these scams, some consumers mistakenly click on links or share
  their personal information. Instead, consumers should be aware of these and
  other common attacks and use caution to avoid falling victim.

  Knowledge is power. Enjoy your online shopping experience by following best practices and increase
  your awareness of common scams. These eight tips can help you get the deals and
  avoid the scams:

  1. Use familiar websites and know thy vendors.
  Before providing any personal or financial information, be sure
  that you are doing business with a reputable, established vendor. Verify the
  legitimacy of the website by reviewing certificate information, including who
  it was issued to. Check the BBB’s online directory and scam tracker or search
  retailer reviews on Google.

  2. Look for the ‘s’ and the lock.
  Always look for the security symbol, such as an unbroken padlock in the address
  bar and URLs that start with ‘https’. This ensures that your information is
  protected with encryption.

  3. Avoid phishing and social engineering attacks.
  Be wary of unsolicited email requesting information from you,
  such as fake invoices or shipping notifications. Legitimate businesses don’t
  ask for information via email. Instead of responding to the email or clicking
  on links, type in the merchant’s authentic website address yourself and log in
  to check your account.

  4. Be aware of common tricks.
  Educate yourself about common online scams to avoid falling for
  too-good-to-be-true deals, including rock-bottom prices form unknown internet
  retailers, fake ads and social media offers, gift card scams, and more.

  5. Use credit, not debit.
  Credit cards offer an extra level of protection from fraudulent charges that may not be available
  with a debit card. You can add additional purchase protections by using a
  payment gateway like PayPal, Good Wallet, or Apple Pay. Secure payment gateways
  stop purchase data from being intercepted by hackers.

  6. Monitor your statements and verify receipts.
  Keep records of your purchases, including confirmation pages or
  email receipts, to compare with your bills and statements. If there is a
  discrepancy, report it immediately.

  7. Always use strong passwords.
  Simple and commonly used passwords allow hackers to easily gain access and control of your online
  accounts, change shipping addresses, and make purchases using your credit
  cards.

  8. Don’t purchase over public Wi-Fi.
  If you shop using your mobile phone, stay on your carrier’s cellular network.
  Free public Wi-Fi can be much less secure.

  CyberScout®—We’ll take it from here.™

  CyberScout is leading the charge against hackers and thieves, providing identity management, credit
  monitoring and cyber security for more than 17.5 million households and 770,000
  businesses. Contact your bank, credit union, insurance company or employer to
  find out if they offer CyberScout services.

  This information is meant to be a broad overview and should not be the only source
  you consult for evaluating your risk management needs. Adherence to the above
  guidelines does not ensure coverage under your policy, nor does it guarantee
  your risk will be accepted by our company or that your property or operations
  are safe, healthful, or in compliance with laws, rules, or regulations.
  Coverage is determined by specific policy provisions, limitations and
  exclusions that can only be expressed in the policy itself.

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