Avoid Being a Victim This Holiday Season

Last week, we provided some tips on how to be financially happy during this season. This week, we’ll help you avoid being a victim of financial traps.

As you know, while most people are on a holiday rush, robbers, scammers and other types of criminals take advantage of it. Not only that, false and misleading advertising can harm us too! And being in a rush can easily turn us into victims. So be alert and avoid being a victim by following these tips:

Watch Out For Scam Sites

We’re glad that we can now shop online, avoiding those crowded stores and long lines. But unfortunately, this can still be an opportunity for the bad guys to get you. Look out for phony websites, update your computer security systems, be wary of the links you click, and shop only through your trusted websites. Failure to do so may lead to giving away your card info and to being susceptible to a malware attack, among other problems.

Understand the Terms and Conditions of Discounts and Incentives

You may be tempted to open a store credit card to get discounts and incentives, but make sure you understand its terms and conditions, interest rates, and other potential pitfalls. Store credit cards usually have higher interest rates, and opening multiple credit cards can negatively affect your credit scores.

Review Your Bills – Thoroughly

While it is expected that you may have higher expenses this month, you should still be reviewing your credit card bills, and even more thoroughly than you typically would. Look at each charge and watch out for overcharges, items you didn’t order, or those that you didn’t receive. Also, review your receipts before leaving stores!

Be prepared to spend this holiday season with a bang, but do it in a positive way. Avoid these pitfalls by being vigilant with your finances and you are sure to enjoy a worry-free holiday. Happy Holidays!

Read more great tips like these on my CPA blog.

Photo courtesy of chanpipat at freedigitalphotos.net