Tag: Cyber Monday

Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

Cyber Monday: Online Shopping Safety Tips

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Cyber Monday is expected to be the biggest online shopping day of the year with $6.6 billion in sales. While consumers are busy capitalizing on the best holiday deals, it is important to remember to safeguard your personal information and shop safely. Scammers will be working overtime today and throughout the holiday season looking for ways to access shoppers’ personal information to open up new account in their names, take out loans, and even file for unemployment assistance.

Shopping online has become the preferred method of shopping for many consumers.  In fact, according to Adobe Digital Insights consumers have spent $28.6 billion shopping online the first 21 days of November, up nearly 18 percent over last year.

The biggest threat consumers’ face when shopping online is identity theft.  When you shop online, a lot of your personal information is required for you to make a purchase.  Make sure you are shopping online at credible websites, merchants and trusted retailers.  Be wary of websites that are selling “too good to be true” offers.  Usually, they are just that.  Verify a secured connection by looking for a padlock in the browser address bar and make sure the web address starts with https://.  The “s” stands for secured.

Here are some additional online shopping safety tips to remember this Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season.

  • Make sure you are purchasing items using a credit card with a chip in it. The e-chip generates a unique code for each transaction.
  • Do not use free Wi-Fi on your mobile device. When shopping online, make sure you are using a secure Internet connection.  Do not do any sort of transaction that involves personal, financial, or credit card information while using an open and unsecured Wi-Fi connection.  Use your own data plan or home wireless system to purchase online safely. Not doing so can leave you vulnerable to fraudsters adding malware to your device and when you go to make a purchase or login to your bank account, they can record sensitive personal information and passwords.
  • Beware of phishing scams. This is how many criminals get your credit card and personal information, often posing as trusted retailers like Amazon and Wal-Mart, offering huge discounts.  Never click on the links provided in these emails.
  • Dedicate only one credit card to online purchases. Credit cards generally offer better purchase protection and fraud dispute than other payment method.  Use a second account to pay bills, groceries, etc. This way if the card is compromised, it is easy to simply close out the account and request a new card.
  • When entering payment information online, you should verify that HTTPS is in your address bar to protect yourself from identity theft. URLs that begin with https:// instead of the standard http:// are secured by SSL – an internet security protocol.
  • Do not be fooled by confusingly similar website and domain names. Pay close attention to your retailer’s URL when shopping online.

The Department of Homeland Security offers useful and practical information at StopThinkConnect.org. Another online shopping consumer resource is the National Cyber Security Alliance at StaySafeOnline.org.  If you have been a victim of cyber crime, or get suspicious phishing emails, report them to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. This site posts alerts on data breaches and emerging internet crime schemes.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Related Resources:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/deals-shopping/sfl-cyber-monday-online-safety-tips-from-a-cybersecurity-expert-20171126-column.html

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

How to Shop Smart on Black Friday and Cyber Monday

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Whether you plan to shop online or hit the best black Friday deals, here are a few tips on how to shop smart this holiday season!

Do your homework now. It may seem like everyone has something on sale. However, research is key in finding the best deals. The first thing you need to do is make a list of the items you are hoping to purchase. Some retailers offer deep discounts on limited quantities or specific product models in order to lure in buyers. If you make a list, it may save you from buying something you don’t want, just because it is on sale. If you are looking for a specific item, check the price at multiple stores. Some retailers may be offering the same items for different sale prices.

Be tech savvy and take your time. Use the tools available on your smartphone, tablet or computer to track prices and make sure you are actually getting a bargain. Here are a few of the best apps and websites to help you save money on Black Friday.

  • CamelCamelCamel is available for Google’s Chrome and Mozilla’s Firefox web browsers. It tracks prices as they fluctuate on Amazon to make sure you are not leaping at a discount that is actually a small margin off a previously marked up price.
  • Invisible Hand is available for Chrome, Firefox and Apple’s Safari web browsers. It shows a discreet notification while you shop online that will alert you to a lower price at another retailer. It also has an iPhone app that you can use on the go.
  • Honey is another browser extension that automatically searches the web for coupon codes applicable to your purchases at online retailers before you check out. If it finds one, it will apply it to your cart to save you money.

Another option for online shoppers is to fill a cart, abandon it and then sometimes retailers will email you a coupon code or offer you free shipping on your order.

Don’t bother lining up. Unless you have a specific product in mind that has limited quantities, lining up all night is probably not worth it. Research suggests that almost any deal that you line up for on Black Friday will eventually be available online.

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If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade Garcia McMaken has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade Garcia McMaken website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.

Bankruptcy Law, Credit, Debt Relief, Timothy Kingcade Posts

8 Mistakes to Avoid on Black Friday

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Millions of Americans wait all year for Black Friday to come around. According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, seven out of ten people stock up on holiday gifts during Thanksgiving weekend. With the right planning and research, you can save a ton of money this holiday season.

Here are some mistakes to avoid during the busiest shopping day of the year.

  1. Failing to make a list. Start by making a list of the items you wish to buy. Then research the places with the best prices for these items. If you are unsure of the items you need, determine who you are shopping for and then do some research online.
  2. Paying full price for add-ons. One of the most common mistakes Black Friday shoppers make is paying full price for add-ons when shopping for electronics. These include batteries, cables and chargers. It is important to keep in mind that you do not need to get add-ons the same day or at the same place. Strategize where you can buy each commodity for electronics at the best price. Saving these items for Cyber Monday is a good choice!
  3. Buying toys. The sales on toys typically extend into the first two weeks of December. According to DealNews.com toys are generally cheaper in the first two weeks of December.
  4. Choosing the wrong time to go. Many of the stores who participate in Black Friday deals have started their sales on Thanksgiving in recent years. According to retale.com, 54 percent of shoppers said they would prefer to stay home on Thanksgiving. This gives shoppers a chance to beat the Black Friday crowds.
  5. Opening store credit cards. It is tempting to open a store credit card to save an additional 10 to 15 percent off your purchase. However, going into debt over the holidays is not worth the savings.
  6. Not using a price-comparison app. If you are planning on shopping on Black Friday, using apps like RedLaser, ShopSavvy and BuyVia will help you find the best prices.
  7. Falling for “fear of missing out.” Oftentimes shoppers fall for the belief that sales are short-lived or that items are in limited supply. This is not necessarily true. Retailers have been preparing for this day weeks in advance and have ample supplies of what they expect to be top sellers. Keep in mind that many of the door-buster deals that are in limited supply are cheap quality, as well as cheaply priced.
  8. Forgetting about Cyber Monday. If you do not find what you need on Black Friday, don’t forget about the Cyber Monday deals. Shopping online makes it easier to compare prices and stock up your cart with items you might not have been able to find in stores.

Click here to read more on this story.

If you have any questions on this topic or are in financial crisis and considering filing for bankruptcy, contact an experienced Miami bankruptcy attorney who can advise you of all of your options. As an experienced CPA as well as a proven bankruptcy lawyer, Timothy Kingcade knows how to help clients take full advantage of the bankruptcy laws to protect their assets and get successful results. Since 1996 Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. has been helping people from all walks of life build a better tomorrow. Our attorneys’ help thousands of people every year take advantage of their rights under bankruptcy protection to restart, rebuild and recover. The day you hire our firm, we will contact your creditors to stop the harassment. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.