Many Louisianans may want to avoid the large Black Friday crowds and instead purchase gifts and items on Cyber Monday. But while Cyber Monday may have some great deals, online holiday shopping always comes with risks.

“Cyber Monday is a great and easy way to avoid all the crowded stores on Black Friday, but you still need to protect yourself from scammers who could be looking to steal your identity and hard-earned money. I urge all consumers to make sure the website and company are legitimate, and then review the company’s return policy and warranty information before you click purchase,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.

Safety tips Attorney General Murrill before making an online purchase:

• Make sure the website is secure by checking the URL address: To confirm a site is secure, check the URL address and make sure there is an “s” in https://
• Watch out for look-alike or fake websites.
• Always pay with a credit card, which will help if you need to dispute unauthorized charges.
• Beware of too-good-to-be true contests and prize promotions.
• Be sure to read the fine print and return policies.

For more consumer safety tips, or if you have a Consumer Dispute about a business, you can head to AGLizMurrill.com/Resources. For more information, call Attorney General Murrill’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-351-4889. 

Happy online shopping everyone!