Move over Black Friday. It’s time for Cyber Monday.

Today (Nov. 27, 2023) is Cyber Monday – a day designed for online holiday shoppers and bargain hunters. Cyber Monday was given the name in 2005 by the National Retail Federation after the group noticed an upswing in online shopping the Monday after Thanksgiving.

This year, NRF predicts online and other non-store sales to increase from 7-9% to a total of some $273.7 billion to $278.8 billion compared to $255.8 billion last year.

If you’re one of those shoppers who will turn to the internet today for your shopping needs, there are some things you need to know, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Here are some of BBB’s online shopping tips:

• Beware of false advertising and phony websites. If a company is selling the hottest item of the year for a price that seems to good to be true, it likely is, BBB warns. Pay careful attention to the web address in your browser as scammers love to create lookalike websites that appear to be from a trusted retailer but are not. Ensure websites use the correct business name spelling and have legitimate contact information and customer service numbers.
• Shop with trustworthy sellers on secure sites only and be wary of businesses you aren’t familiar with. Check for BBB ratings and other online reviews of a company. In addition, be sure any web page you purchase from is secure. Secure web addresses begin with “HTTPS, ” not just “HTTP.” Never put personal or credit card information in forms on non-secure web pages.
• Keep your antivirus software up to date.  Ensure you have antivirus software installed on your computer or mobile device and that it is current. This will help you avoid non-secure websites and pop-up phishing scams and help keep your personal information safe.
• Price check before you buy. Dozens of online retailers may claim they have the best price on an item, but those offers can be misleading. Do your homework by comparing prices.
• Take advantage of rewards and loyalty programs. Check your credit card rewards program for special point offers that could add up on Cyber Monday and throughout the holidays. Make purchases using loyalty programs; many major retailers offer them.
• Use your credit card. It’s always best to make online purchases with your credit card. If any shady charges appear later, you can contest them through your credit card company. Debit cards may not offer this same protection. Never purchase with online sellers by giving them prepaid debit cards or wiring money.
• Understand return policies. Online store policies may change for Cyber Monday offers so read the fine print before you buy. Understand the return or exchange policy for the item you want to purchase. Be aware that stores may not allow returns for “final sale” or “closeout” items. And always get gift receipts, so the recipient can return or exchange the item if necessary.
• Watch out for phishing scams. Look out for unsolicited emails, texts, calls, or letters that could lure you to shop during the busy holiday season. These messages may claim you have a gift waiting for you or that there is a problem with delivery – all you need to do is click on a link or give up your personal information. Avoid phishing scams by ignoring suspicious correspondence and calls from unfamiliar phone numbers.