Privacy Matters 1-2-3 Provides Tips to Safe Online Shopping

Privacy Matters 1-2-3, an Adaptive Marketing LLC^® membership security program, advises consumers who shop online to not only shop wisely but safely. Times have certainly changed since the days of standing in endless checkout lines, sifting through dozens of weekly ads to find the best price for a desired item, and driving to multiple stores -- burning gallons of gas -- just to try to find the perfect gift. Today, millions of savvy shoppers turn to the Internet for comparison shopping as well as unique gift ideas -- all from the comfort of their own homes at any time of the day or night.

One may ask if this convenience of the new millennium could possibly jeopardize our privacy -- leading consumers down the path of being potentially victimized by identity thieves. Not only has identity theft been touted as the fastest growing crime in the world, but it has also been deemed the fastest changing crime. Criminals are constantly finding new ways to steal personal and private information from the unsuspecting public. If online shoppers want to continue to use the virtual world as a source for purchasing goods and services, making sure their personal information is protected should be their first and foremost priority, reports PrivacyMatters123.

Privacy Matters 1-2-3 provides the following tips for safe shopping online:

1. Never buy from strangers. Stick to purchasing merchandise with large, national e-retailers -- those that also have physical locations across the U.S. You may want to check the Better Business Bureau online for a listing of approved e-merchants. Be extra cautious of ads or promotional offers sent to you in the form of spam email.

2. Check the locks. Make sure the merchant’s website is secure. When going to check out, look to see if a lock appears in the lower, right-hand corner or your taskbar. If the lock is broken, it is a good indication that the website and your personal information are not secure.

3. What’s the password? Never give out your password to anyone and change it frequently. If you are asked to verify your personal information including your password in an unsolicited email from a merchant, don’t reply. First, contact the company by phone or email them (use the contact email address from the merchants website – not the one on the email you received) to ask if contact was legitimate. You may find that someone is trying to “phish” for your password and other personal information.

4. Be on guard. Record purchase dates, confirmation numbers, total amount of transactions, the URL of the websites visited, and the form of payment used. In addition, keep an eye on your account activity -- make sure the merchant charges you correctly and no unusual charges appear after the initial billing. If you discover any unfamiliar charges -- don’t wait -- contact your financial institution immediately.

In addition to following these basic tips, consumers should also request a copy of their credit report at least twice a year, concludes Privacy Matters 1-2-3.

This article was prepared for you by PrivacyMatters123.

Privacy Matters 1-2-3

Headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., Adaptive Marketing LLC^® is a category leader in membership programs, bringing value direct to consumers through an array of benefits in healthcare, discounts, security and personals. With broad online and offline distribution capabilities, Adaptive Marketing offers its corporate client partners effective tools to enhance market presence, strengthen customer affinity and generate additional value through programs such as PrivacyMatters123.

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