Cyber Monday online shopping safety

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - This year's Cyber Monday is expected to be the biggest online shopping day of the year with millions of Americans logging on to find the best holiday deals.

Eyewitness News has learned, there's a new reason for buyers to beware while bargain hunting online.

According to a security software company, this year social media scams rank number one in "the twelve scams of Christmas."

"Bad guys are creating fake e-tailer websites and these fake sites are designed to get you to enter your credit card information and often these fake sites revolve around gift cards,"  Robert Siciliano, McAfee Online Security.

Experts say beware of clicking or liking posts, because oftentimes, accounts may have been hacked and are sending out fake alerts advertising the hottest holiday gifts.

Avoid twitter ads and special discounts utilize blind, shorthanded links, which can easily be malicious.

Another growing trend is mobile shopping.  One in four shoppers use a mobile device to locate the best deals.

Again, this technological advance can easily put your private information at risk.

33 percent of mobile apps are actually sharing personal information, such as location.  They can also infect your mobile device with spyware.

The best way to avoid a problem is to make sure your app comes from a reputable source.

Another scam to watch out for this holiday season is fake e-gift cards.

Scammers create fake websites that offer e-gift cards that look real, but when the gift is delivered, the number is bogus.

Not only do these scammers take your money, but they now have your credit card information.

If you are making online purchases, use a credit card over a debit card.  You should also check with your credit card company to see if they have fraud protection.