If a deal sounds too good to be true, it might be the case.
That’s according to the Better Business Bureau, as people get ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping this weekend.
Karla Davis with the BBB says a fifth of all online shopping happens over the Black Friday weekend.
“To protect yourself, use reputable payment portals – your PayPal and your Verified by Visa,” Davis said. “Before sending out any personal info over the internet, look to see if the website has ‘https’ at the beginning of the web address.”
“That ‘s’ indicates that the website is secure.”
She’s also telling people to avoid using public wifi to do your online shopping.
Davis also says to be on the lookout for email scams, that might be prevalent in this day and age.
“Ridiculously priced or discounted electronics, or ridiculously prices high-end clothing,” she noted. “Look out for those things because the scammers tend to use those offers to lure you into making fake purchases.”
“They then release your financial and private information. That’s how they get to take your money.”
Davis adds about 45 per cent of Canadians spend more money on Black Friday when compared to Boxing Day.