Every week Clare Francis, financial journalist and editor of comparison site moneysupermarket.com will offer tips and advice on all things money-related to help iVillagers make the most of their hard-earned cash. From energy bills to car insurance; credit cards to children’s savings accounts; mortgages to discount vouchers Clare will show you how to make sure you’re getting the best deal
Shop, shop, shop...from home
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If you woke up this morning with sudden urge to get your Christmas shopping done, you were definitely not alone.
In fact, Monday 5 December has been hailed ‘Cyber Monday’, with online retailing giant Amazon forecasting that shopping will peak at 9pm this evening – no surprise really, given people will have arrived home from work, eaten dinner and settled at their computers.
Doing your Christmas shopping online holds obvious appeal. You’ll have the same consumer rights as if you bought the goods in a store but, at the same time, get to avoid the relentless scrum of the nation’s high streets.
However, while Christmas shopping online means you won’t fall victim to a Fagin-style pick-pocketing, it is certainly not without risk.
Internet fraudsters come out in full force at this time of year, with ingenious ways of separating unwitting Christmas shoppers from their cash, credit card details and even entire identities.
But you can keep one step ahead of these modern day Christmas crooks...
Shopping safely this Christmas
An obvious start is to have anti-virus software, such as AVG, installed on your PC at all times. This will pick up identity threats and draw your attention to potentially fishy websites. And, of course, make sure your wireless is encrypted so only you can use it.
Even with this comfort, you will still need to keep your wits about you.
When shopping, look out for the padlock symbol in the bottom right hand corner of your browser as this is a sign that the website you are on is secure. Check the website name matches with the store in the address bar too – and that it is spelt correctly.
If something still doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to give the retailer a call and cross reference the exact website address.
It’s a good idea to mix up your passwords too between online retailer accounts. Having the same one means that, if a cyber-thief gets their hands on it, they will be rewarded with rich-pickings.
Finally, make sure you have good old-fashioned paper print-outs of all your receipts so you have a record of your purchases – and how much they cost.
Protection when paying
Even when you are convinced the website is bona fide, it’s still preferable to use a payment system such as Paypal or Worldpay rather than punch in the name and numbers featured on the plastic in your wallet.
If you don’t have the option to use a third party payment system, make sure you pay with a credit card and not a debit card.
That way, if you are buying something costing between £100 and £60,260 you get protection from both the online retailer and the credit card company if the goods are faulty, not as described or simply fail to arrive. You will also be protected if your supplier goes bust.
While it’s highly unlikely you will require the top end of this protection (which was increased from £30,000 under the Consumer Credit Directive earlier this year), many presents – including winter clothes and electrical gadgets – easily cost more than £100 so it’s protection worth having.
Getting it done on time
While shopping online safety is your first priority, getting your gifts delivered on time comes a very close second. After all, Christmas only comes once a year.
If you are sending a standard parcel, you’ll need to post it by 14 December if you want to ensure it arrives in time for the Big Day, according to Royal Mail’s Christmas posting dates for this year.
If it’s recorded delivery, you’ve got until the 17 December – which is also the last posting date for letters and cards.
20 December is your final chance to send first class and recorded signed post, while you will have until 22 December to send your gifts by special delivery or Parcelforce Express.
If you are really cutting it fine, you can send your gifts and cards by ‘Special Delivery with Saturday’ on 23 December. This is guaranteed to arrive on Christmas Eve but, of course, the cost of such a last-minute delivery could well trump the present inside.
The good news is there is still plenty of time to do your online Christmas shopping safely, securely and as cheaply as possible – enjoy!
For more tips and advice, read MoneySupermarket’s Ultimate Guide to Christmas.
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