Cyber Monday—the Monday after Thanksgiving—has officially replaced Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving—as the most popular day to shop for the holidays. Shopping online means avoiding the crowds, but it also opens the buyer up to attacks from scammers and hackers. In order to fight these online grinches, the Better Business Bureau recommends 10 tips for staying safe when holiday shopping online.

Every year, more people head online—rather than to the mall—to get their holiday shopping done. Last year, 96.5 million Americans shopped online during Cyber Monday while 79 million Americans shopped at brick-and-mortar retailers on Black Friday, according to the National Retail Federation.

“The convenience and ease of shopping online has replaced the hassle of going to the store for many people—but online shopping has its own set of risks,” said Kim States, BBB President. “Taking steps to avoid the fraud online will result in a much happier holiday for everyone—except, of course, for scammers and hackers.”

Following are the “Top 10 Online Shopping Tips” for holiday shoppers to help fight unscrupulous online retailers, scammers and hackers:

1. Protect your computer – A computer should always have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall.

2. Shop on trustworthy websites – Shoppers should start with BBB to check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction. Always look for the BBB seal and other widely-recognized “trustmarks” on retailer websites and click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.

3. Protect your personal information – BBB recommends taking the time to read the site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, it should be taken as a red flag that personal information may be sold to others without permission.

4. Beware of deals that sound too good to be true – Offers on websites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true, especially extremely low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should always go with their instincts and not be afraid to pass up a “deal” that might cost them dearly in the end.

5. Beware of phishing – Legitimate businesses do not send e-mails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. If a consumer receives such an e-mail, BBB recommends picking up the phone and calling the contact number on the website where the purchase was made to confirm that there really is a problem with the transaction.

6. Confirm your online purchase is secure – Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If there are any doubts about a site, BBB recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (website address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.

7. Pay with a credit card – It’s best to use a credit card, because under federal law, the shopper can dispute the charges if he or she doesn’t receive the item. Shoppers also have dispute rights if there are (more…)

Better Business Bureau announced today a nationwide “Secure Your ID” Day to be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010.  Individuals and small businesses are encouraged to stop at one of 55 locations across North America set up by BBB for free document shredding. BBB staff will also be on site to provide expert advice and tips for identity theft protection.

Identity theft continues to be a growing problem. Last year alone, 11.1 million Americans became victims of ID theft, a 12 percent increase over the previous year, according to a 2010 report from Javelin Strategy and Research.

“We all lead busy lives and fighting identity theft doesn’t always make it onto our list of priorities even though it is extremely important,” said Kim States, BBB President. “That’s why BBB is making it easy this Spring to get rid of outdated tax documents and other personal information while learning how to protect yourself and your family from ID thieves throughout the rest of the year.”

The National Association for Information Destruction is a National Partner for “Secure Your ID” Day and will provide document shredding at many local events. Select locations will also provide free, secure disposal of computers and cell phones. Information on local events including times, locations and available services can be found at http://www.bbb.org/us/secure-your-id-participants/.

As the result of two nationwide “Secure Your ID” Days in 2009, BBB helped individuals and small businesses at more than 133 sites across the country shred 1.3 million pounds of sensitive documents—all for free.  For more information on BBB “Secure Your ID” Day and identity theft prevention measures for both consumers and businesses, visit: www.bbb.org/us/secureID.
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Vacation rentals can be a great way to save money when traveling on a tight budget and many travelers are foregoing the mint on the pillow experience for more reasonable and less cushy accommodations. Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona advises vacationers to do their research before booking rentals because sometimes the properties are not as advertised.

In a tough economy, a vacation rental is one way to save if you’re willing to forgo some of the luxuries. According to a summer 2009 survey by TripAdvisor.com, 43 percent of respondents said that they were planning to stay at a vacation rental in the coming 12 months. On average, the price per square foot for a U.S. hotel is more than twice the price per square foot of a vacation rental according to a report by HomeAway, an online vacation rental company.

“Many travelers have shaved hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their vacation costs by renting a house or condo instead of paying for a hotel or resort,” said Kim States, BBB President. “A vacation rental can seem riskier than booking a hotel, but if you do your research and pay attention to the fine print, it can be a safe way to save money.”

There are many different Web sites that travelers can turn to for finding a vacation rental. Some companies specialize in connecting renters and vacationers—and take a cut for their efforts—while other sites cut out the middleman and potentially some consumer protections like money-back guarantees.

BBB offers the following advice to travelers looking to save money with a vacation rental:

Start Planning Now. Rental properties in popular locations get snatched up quickly so start your search early before all of the best properties are booked.

Do your Homework. If you plan on enlisting the help of a business, such as a third-party Web site or professional service, to connect you with a renter, always check them out with BBB first at bbb.org.

Manage Your Expectations. A home rental is not a hotel so you can’t necessarily expect the same level of professionalism, cleanliness or modernization.  Some companies will guarantee that the property meets your expectations. If a guarantee isn’t being offered, consider travel insurance.

Take a Virtual Tour. Sometimes the pictures and descriptions of the property posted by the renter can be deceiving. Research the property on your own online and take a virtual tour of the surrounding area using Google Maps Street View. Don’t be tentative about asking plenty of questions about the property.

Get it all in Writing. Make sure that all of the verbal agreements are included in the rental contract including details on the deposit, rules on pets, refunds, and what is included in the cost of the rental such as utilities, internet, etc.

Use a Secure Form of Payment. Do not send money until you’ve signed the rental agreement and never pay via money wire, such as through MoneyGram or Western Union. When possible, use a credit card which can provide some amount of consumer protection.

Vacation Rentals By Owner. Take extra precautions when renting from an individual, particularly for international rentals. If possible, get references from previous renters and double-check the location of the property to avoid getting stuck in international waters.

More tips for the budget-savvy traveler can be found at http://www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-travel/.