The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance’s (TDCI) Consumer Affairs Division is reminding shoppers to make sure they protect their personal information when shopping from mobile devices this holiday season.
“Online shopping is becoming increasingly convenient due to a rise in mobile app use and the introduction of mobile wallets,” says says TDCI Deputy Commissioner Bill Giannini. “Unfortunately, with that ease comes a concern for the security of personal financial information.”
According to the National Retail Federation, more than 1.5 billion so-called “mobile wallets” will be in use globally by 2018, representing about one in five phones. Mobile wallets are the digital equivalent to a physical wallet where consumers can store digitized valuables ranging from ID and credit card information to event tickets and loyalty cards.
The Consumer Affairs Division offers these tips when using a mobile shopping app on your smart phone:
· Review the app’s privacy policy to learn how the app will access and/or share your personal information, such as your location and your social networks.
· Only use credible money exchange apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
· Mix up your passwords, update them often, write them down, and store them in a safe place.
· Don’t store your passwords in your mobile phone.
· Put a password lock on your mobile phone, if available.
If you’re traveling overseas this holiday season, request your EMV card(s) from your bank if you haven’t already done so. (EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa.) Consumers should be aware that in the U.S., EMV cards are chip-and-signature cards that require a signature for authentication, but in most other countries EMV cards are chip-and-PIN cards. To learn more about EMV chip cards and how to use them, visit www.gochipcard.com or www.emv-connection.com/consumers.
For more consumer tips or to file a complaint, visit www.tn.gov/consumer.
About the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance: TDCI is charged with protecting the interests of consumers while providing fair, efficient oversight and a level field of competition for a broad array of industries and professionals doing business in Tennessee. Our divisions include the Athletic Commission, Consumer Affairs, Tennessee Corrections Institute, Emergency Communications Board, Fire Prevention, Insurance, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Peace Officers Standards and Training, Regulatory Boards, Securities, and TennCare Oversight.