VIDEO: Attorney General Moody Offers Cyber Monday Shopping Tips as Billions of Dollars Are Spent Online

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-On Cyber Monday, Attorney General Ashley Moody is offering tips for Floridians to help avoid online shopping scams. Cyber Monday is one of the most popular online shopping days of the year. On this day last year, consumers spent about $12.4 billion. During the peak hour, between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., consumers spent approximately $15.7 million every minute. During periods of increased spending, scammers often attempt to take advantage of consumers.

Attorney General Ashley Moody said, "Billions of dollars are being spent today as millions of Americans search the internet for online deals. To help better protect these consumers, we are releasing Cyber Monday shopping tips and resources. Taking a few simple steps can help you avoid scammers and cybercriminals who seek to exploit the online shopping frenzy."

To avoid falling victim to cyber scams, Attorney General Moody is sharing the following tips:

• Know that if a price seems too good to be true, it probably is;
• Double-check the legitimacy of an online store by researching the store's name and the sought-after product;
• Only buy from reputable online retailers;
• Keep anti-virus software up to date;
• When shopping online, use credit cards for additional consumer protection; and
• Avoid using public Wi-Fi when submitting financial information.

Attorney General Moody recently released the 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide. This resource provides tips to help consumers stay safe when shopping for gifts or donating to charities. Check out the guide here.

For more information on how to navigate the holiday season safely, check out Scams at a Glance: 'Tis the Season here.

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