Holiday season is near and online shopping is becoming the easiest way to purchase gifts for loved ones. This can come at a risk for seniors due to scammers, so we made a list of what to look out for. Don’t become a victim of fraud this holiday season!

Top Shopping Tips for Seniors this Holiday Season

Seniors can have difficulty with mobility and managing transportation, so the easiest way to buy gifts is online. Navigating the internet free of scammers can be challenging, so we provide the following cautions, tricks, and tips to have a positive online shopping experience. 

What to Beware of?

Don’t Buy Into It

When shopping online, it’s important to keep a level head. If an offer seems too good to be true, it likely is. Common online shopping scams include telling you that you won a competition that you did not enter with a high value product at an incredibly low price. You should never be prompted to enter your credit card information unless you are “checking out” of a trustworthy website.

The Do’s

Manage your credit cards

Review your online bank and credit card statements frequently throughout the holiday season to make sure your payments are correct and your accounts don’t have any unusual activity. Tell your bank or credit card company immediately if you find anything odd, often you have up to 30 days to challenge a transaction.

Watch Out for the Details

Be aware of important details such as supplementary charges, return policies, shipping and taxes. Exorbitant shipping costs can double an online item’s purchase price, and returns may be restricted depending on where the product is shipped from.

Make your Accounts Safe 

It may seem like a hassle, but the best way to protect yourself from hackers and individuals trying to access your personal information is to create strong passwords that are different for each account you hold – and include a variety of characters such as letters in lower and upper cases, numbers and symbols. To secure your credit, it’s worth taking the time to write down your unique passwords. Connect.

Use Websites You Know

If you’re new to shopping online, visit reliable retailers you know. Websites with excellent customer service and quality control, almost every major retailer from Amazon to Target to Walmart has an online store and has proven to be trustworthy and secure.

When making a purchase, make sure you’re on the right website. There are “fake” websites out there that mimic other websites. To be accurate, double check the address bar for the spelling of the URL. You know you’re not in the right place when you find spelling errors like “Wallmart” instead of Walmart.

How to Save Money?

Use Online Coupons

There are different websites that you can use to find discount codes and coupons. Websites like “RetailMeNot” find coupons from all over the internet and offer them in one place. Remember that these websites will not ask for your credit card information.

The Victorian Assisted Living and Retirement Community

The Victorian is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact The Victorian today to learn more about our services or tour our community.