Shoppers prepare for Cyber Monday deals


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SALT LAKE CITY — Gray Thursday, Black Friday, and tomorrow Cyber Monday. Tomorrow's sales are supposed to increase by 52 percent compared to last year. Online bargain hunters are expected to spent $1.5 billion

For some shoppers it's not even just a three-day event. You may remember one shopper KSL followed last week who used a U-Haul. We met up with Dawn Robinson again Sunday as she prepared for Cyber Monday — well before the sales even start.

Needless to say, she has a plan.

"I have my older kids, and I have my younger kids, and I have everything written down," she said. "But it's my favorite all year round."

It's too much to handle for one screen, so she has both computers set up. But before she can even hit the sites she has to know when to be ready.

How not to get scammed on Cyber Monday
  • Search for signs of approval like security seals and make sure a site is secure by looking for "https" in the address bar instead of "http"
  • Make your passwords as complex as possible and avoid storing your credit or debit information on sites. Also, credit is safer to use than debit.
  • Don't use public WiFi networs.
  • Keep records, receipts and confirmations. And check your bank statements regularly for suspicious activity.
  • All of the above applies to your smartphone as well. Be very careful if you plan on making a purchase with your phone. Only work with apps from trusted sources.
  • "So I'll probably get up for an hour and do as much as I can and then I'll get up again, and then I'll set an alarm," she said.

    Robinson has it figured out, but for the rest of us, things may not be so easy. We may need some help and Francine Giani with the Department of Commerce says rule number one is to watch out for fake sites.

    "If you're online and you're looking for this product that you know you have seen for much, much more and yet they're selling it online for much less, we think that that's a red flag."

    Here's a few more... Check around for discounts... Know the store's return policy and delivery date... And Only use a credit card.

    Also make sure you aren't tempted by those unnecessary purchases.

    "Oh, I want that, and of this is cute," Robinson said. "And this is cute and that is cute. And then I end up spending a ton of money."

    But her goal is to save. Robinson plans to save about a grand on Christmas gifts for her kids.

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