CHICAGO, IL- January 24, 2013 – As technology
has become more advanced stores have found different ways to incorporate
technology into the shopping experience. In the past few months some retailers
and banks have started offering consumers the option of receiving e-receipts.
This paperless option helps to reduce clutter and waste, but the Better
Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois (BBB) reminds shoppers to
be aware of identity theft while using this new technology.
These
e-receipts offer new opportunities for both stores and consumers. For many
stores the e-receipts are tied to the store card or the clerk can quickly enter
your email address at the end of the purchase. It is a way for the store to
save money and offer another option for the customer.
E-receipts
also offer an easier way for consumers to keep of track and file away receipts
to help with a return or exchange at a later date. They also help to cut down
on waste and clutter for the consumer.
“Although
the convenience of e-receipts may be seen as a benefit, it is important to make
sure that companies do not use e-receipts as a way to fill up your inbox with
‘junk mail’,” according to Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better
Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “Confirm that the
company does not sell your email address or use it for financial gains.”
For
shoppers who are interested in opting for e-receipts, BBB offers the following
tips:
- Find out how the business plans to keep your information
secure. Check
the businesses privacy policy. You will want to check to see if the
business plans on selling your information to third-parties. If they do,
be on the lookout for unsolicited emails requesting your personal
information; they could be scams that download malware on your computer.
- Ask if you can opt-out of receiving promotional
emails. Now
that the business has your email address, it’s possible you’ll start to
receive coupons, newsletters and other promotional emails from them…and
even from others if they’ve sold or shared your data. You may want to set
up a separate email address to use for paperless receipts so that you can
easily monitor it for spam.
- Beware of scams. Having receipts emailed can also make you
susceptible to phishing and other identity theft scams. Scammers pose as
retailers or banks with realistic-looking emails that may claim there are
problems with your purchase and request that you click a link to fix it.
The link may take you to a fraudulent site that asks for your personal
information, or it might download malware on your computer that will
search your hard drive for account numbers and passwords.
- Make sure your anti-virus software is up-to-date. Whether or not you plan to
increase your internet and email use, it’s always a good idea to make sure
your system’s security plan is updated regularly. Spammers feed off of
online shoppers who fail to update their security patches.
For more
BBB tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org
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As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose
of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help
resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and
arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and
charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reviews on businesses and
nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity
before making a purchase or donation.
