It's that time of year again: Black Friday! Get out your credit cards, checkbooks, wallets and more, because it’s time to hit the shops. Every year, millions of Americans go shopping online or in person to find the best deals. Black Friday is a great opportunity to purchase gifts for the holiday season, or just to buy that kitchen appliance that you’ve had your eye on. Whatever you are looking to purchase, you can probably find it at a discount on Black Friday.

While Black Friday is an exciting time to sniff out the sales, it is also a time to be cautious. News stories abound of people getting into fights over items in stores. Some people even get injured in the stampede to reach the best products when shop doors first open. And if you are buying online, you always run the risk of getting hacked or having your personal information stolen. Identity thieves love taking advantage of Black Friday to access your private data while your guard is down.

What can you do to stay safe while shopping this Black Friday? Well, the first step is to know what threats you need to watch out for. Here are a few common problems people run into during the shopping craze:

1. One of the most immediate threats to your safety is assault and battery. Remember those fights and stampedes we mentioned earlier? During Black Friday mayhem, it’s easier for an accidental bump into someone else’s shopping cart to turn into a full-fledged argument. Take your time, be polite, and try to de-escalate the situation if someone does get testy with you.

2. Theft is another problem you may run into while shopping in person. It’s possible that someone will peek into your car while you are in a store. If they see a cool item that you purchased at your last location, they may decide they want it for themselves. Always ensure that your car doors are locked and your alarm and dashcam are on, if you have them. Keep a close eye on your purse or wallet while you are in the store as well.

3. Shopping online is fun because you don’t have to leave the house, and you get to open your front door to a pile of packages a few days later. But watch out! “Porch pirates” are thieves who snatch parcels from your doorstep before you even know they are there. Be prompt to retrieve your mail from the mailbox each day as well. An identity thief could use a credit card offer you receive to set up an account with your name and false information so they can obtain a credit card.

4. If you are shopping online, take extra care that the websites you visit are reputable. A good way to tell if a site is safe is by checking the URL. If it begins with “https,” it is a secure website owned by an actual company. If you receive an email containing a link, but you don’t remember subscribing to receive emails from this sender, don’t click that link! Instead, do a quick online search for the company and contact them directly if needed.

5. While shopping online, ensure that your internet connection is secure. It’s advisable to use a VPN, even if you are on your home Wi-Fi. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your data so that even if a hacker somehow gets his hands on it, he can’t do anything with it.

Now that you know some of the common threats to watch out for during Black Friday, you also know that you need to take steps to stay safe! Fortunately, we can help protect and empower you, whether you are shopping in person or online.

LegalShield provides affordable legal access to millions of members in the U.S. and Canada. When you take LegalShield protection with you on your shopping trip, you take a team of lawyers who are ready to help at a moment’s notice. Be prepared for the shopping craze with our expert legal advice and assistance.

And if you prefer shopping online, make sure you have IDShield protection. We monitor your personal information and alert you if we detect any suspicious activity. If identity theft does occur, our Licensed Private Investigators do whatever it takes for as long as it takes to restore your identity to its pre-theft status. IDShield lets you shop with security.