"There is always somebody looking to separate you from your money; the best course of action is prevention," Abraham said at a news conference at which she and Bethel shared strategies for shoppers to protect themselves.
While Black Friday launched one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year, so-called Cyber Monday - when many holiday shoppers hit the Internet in search of deals this Monday - will offer plenty of opportunities for computer-savvy thieves, she said.
"Nobody is safe from thieves or cyber-crime," Abraham said. "If your identity is stolen, you could spend 18 months to three years in credit purgatory. Prevention is critical."
Her online-shopping tips:
* Use a credit card instead of a debit card. Most credit cards cap liability at $50, while there may not be a cap with a debit card, which is an open invitation for hackers to loot your entire bank account.
* Dedicate one credit card for online shopping only, so that you can more easily track your purchases - and unauthorized purchases.
* Never give out your Social Security number.
* Delete unsolicited bulk e-mail solicitations, which could be computer viruses or scammers. Instant-credit offers and "free" travel vacations often are scams, too.
* Beware of high-pressure sales and online auctions. They may be legal, but you may overpay.
In stores, she said, shoppers also should exercise caution:
* Guard your credit cards closely. A shifty retail clerk or restaurant server could swipe your credit card on a "wedge," duplicating the information on your credit card's magnetic stripe.
* Don't put your purse in a shopping cart; zip it closed, strap it around you and tuck it under your arm. Or carry your wallet in an inside pocket. Passers-by who "bump" into you might instead be skilled pickpockets.
* Stow purchases in your trunk so that they can't be seen and stolen. Park in a well-lighted area. Avoid parking next to vans, in which muggers may be hiding.
* Always accompany young children to the restroom, where unforeseen danger may lurk.
* Going-out-of-business sales: Check a company's policies before buying from one that's poised to close. Many purchases are final sales, no returns or exchanges. Also check to see if the company will honor coupons and previously purchased gift cards.
* Gift cards: Many have expiration dates and progressive fees.
Abraham and Bethel also urged shoppers to avoid these holiday scams:
* Name-a-Star. While it sounds romantic and has become popular, only the International Astronomical Union names stars - and they are not for sale.
source : http://www.philly.com
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