Buyers beware: FBI issues safety tips for online shoppers this Cyber Monday

The FBI have posted some safety tips on their blog to prevent people from becoming victims of cyber crime this Cyber Monday. Today has become the biggest online shopping day of the year but unfortunately has also become a perfect day for scammers to lure shoppers in with bogus deals.

“From fraudulent auction sales to gift card, phishing, and social networking scams and more, cyber crime schemes are ever-evolving and, unfortunately, still successful,” writes the FBI.

Check out their tips for safe online shopping below:

• Purchase merchandise only from reputable sellers, and be suspicious of websites that do not provide contact information; also be wary if the seller only accepts wire transfers or cash.
• Do not respond to or click on links contained within unsolicited (spam) e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mails claiming to contain pictures in attached files; the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders. Scan the attachments for viruses if possible.
• Log on directly to the official website for the business identified in the e-mail instead of linking to it from an unsolicited e-mail. If the e-mail appears to be from your bank, credit card issuer, or other company you deal with frequently, your statements or official correspondence from the business will provide the proper contact information.
• Contact the actual business that supposedly sent the e-mail to verify that the e-mail is genuine.
• If you are requested to act quickly or there is an emergency that requires your attention, it may be a scam. Fraudsters create a sense of urgency to get you to act quickly.
• Remember—if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.