Shopping online? Save money and stay safe with these tips

The kaching-ching-jingle of holiday shopping is well underway. Consumer confidence may have taken a hit recently, but 183.4 million people were expected to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the annual survey just out from the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.
That’s a record, the groups say, up from the previous high of 182 million in 2023 and 18.1 million people more than five years ago in 2019.
“Even though holiday shopping continues to pull forward, some of the busiest shopping days of the year are during the five-day Thanksgiving weekend,” the federation’s vice president of Industry and Consumer Insights, Katherine Cullen, said. “Consumers are prioritizing gift-giving for the most important people in their lives, and retailers are prepared to help customers find everything on their shopping lists at great prices throughout the season.”
Adobe Analytics recently said U.S. shoppers will spend around $240.8 billion online from now until Dec. 31. That’s a pretty decent 8% growth, if it holds true. And brick-and-mortar businesses are hoping for equally cheery spending news.
Even so, it’s a good idea to take a deep breath before you hit the malls or settle in to shop online, experts say. Because while it might be a banner year for legitimate businesses, it could also be a banner year for wily crooks who keep finding new and dusting off old ways to grab your cash and put it in their own pockets.
There are big advantages to online shopping — like hanging out in your jammies at 3 a.m. while you spend. Ditto advantages to going to the actual store, where you can touch or try on that outfit and get it to go right now.
As you gear up to find the perfect something for the people on your naughty and nice list, here are some tips from experts on how to make sure that the holidays stay jolly, rather than full of folly. These experts year in and year out track the joys and jarring moments of this gift-giving season. Hopefully, their sage advice will help keep everyone safe and the holidays a celebration.
Most of us are pretty good at searching reviews on items we want to buy. But are you good at searching reviews on sellers? That’s job one when it comes to making sure that transactions are smooth and no one’s taking advantage of your urge to splurge on those you love.
To save money and avoid overdoing, experts suggest:
Black Friday brings out scams that consumers should be on guard against. High traffic days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday prove irresistible to those who create counterfeit products, which often look a lot like authentic items and may even use purloined photos of the real deal. Warning signs can include extremely low prices or unknown brands, though some unknown brands are just new and everyone has to start somewhere. Paying attention to factors like seller ratings and verified reviews can help sort that out. So can checking out businesses with the Better Business Bureau.
Being told you “won” could be nothing more than a way to get your personal information. Be skeptical and don’t part with things like your bank account number unless you’ve been able to verify that something is legit. More of those scams abound during the holidays, when some folks may feel cash-strapped.
Lately, we’ve been hit with a lot of “delivery problem” notices that ask us to verify an address and other information. Check directly with the seller (don’t click links) if there’s any chance it’s legitimate. Otherwise, ignore it.
If it doesn’t come from the retailer’s official email or app, steer clear. Watch for misspelled words and generic greetings. If you ordered something, they know your name and ought to use it. Look closely at the sender address. If it’s walmmart.com or Deserett.com, for example, it’s bogus. Online’s a good place to test your spelling skills.
Speaking of scams, consumer protection experts say to avoid saying “yes” on the phone when you receive an unexpected solicitation of any sort. Don’t even answer the question “Can you hear me?” that way. Instead, say “I can.” Scammers reportedly sometimes record and then use the “yes” in ways that make it sound like you agreed to whatever they’re trying to get out of you.
Finally, if you get scammed online, get revenge. File a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.