1 – If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially if it’s from an individual user or minor seller. Be very suspicious of any sale that you can’t believe is real. Maybe you’ve found the best deal of the year, but it’s more likely that you’ve come across a scam set up to defraud you and steal your money or personal information.

2 – Do some research about any online seller you’re considering buying from. Most sellers believe quality customer service goes hand in hand with making a profit. Others, seem to be focussed only on turning a profit. With credit card sales being the main form of online shopping, it’s vital that everyone knows the policies of the cards they use and what recourse they have should those policies be abused.

3 – People would also be wise to investigate other forms of payment, such as PayPal. Other methods may not offer the convenience of credit cards, they can sometimes provide additional security against scams and the criminals who know how to abuse the system.

4 – Be very cautious. The Internet can be a dangerous place. During high shopping seasons, the dangers usually increase exponentially.

Be wary when you shop online!