Scammers try to cash in on Cyber Monday

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The whirlwind weekend of shopping isn’t over just yet. Monday is expected to be the biggest online shopping day of the year. Make sure that before you cash in on good deals, that you know how to protect yourself.

Those looking for a Cyber Monday deal will be scavenging the Internet for day five of marathon shopping. An estimated 122 million Americans will take part in Cyber Monday.

Besides the discounts listed on companies’ websites, you might be able to knock off even more money from your total by using comparison sites like Google Products, or installing a browser extension like Price Blink or Invisible Hand.

CNET Senior Editor Donald Bell said, “Whenever you’re on a site that has a product and a price, it will automatically pup up and see if there is any better price on that product that you can find across the web.”

Before you go through virtual check out, know the company’s return policy. It could be different for the holidays.

Make sure your computer’s spamware is up to date. Also, you want to be sure the order from a secure website, that has “https” in the URL.  Phishing is expected to be a big problem also.

Peggy Penders of the Better Business Bureau said, “It's literally a scammer putting a hook into your email account hoping you're going to click on this link, that then is going to install viruses in your computer and perhaps steal personal information.”

Scammers are getting more savvy, even creating websites to take your money.

Penders said, “You've got to make sure this is somebody that's been in business for a while, has experience with this particular item that you're looking to purchase, especially if it's a large item.”

“Well certainly if the ‘contact us’ information is not robust enough, that they don't have a physical address and a phone number, that should be a red flag,” explained Penders.

The Better Business Bureau recommends you have a browser open with the website your purchasing from, and the BBB, to double check the company’s reputation.