Brick-and-Mortar Shopping

Vs Shopping Online

Many people choose the convenience of shopping online versus at brick-and-mortar stores for school supplies. If you are an online shopper, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Online shopping tends to cost more in the long run than shopping at local retailers like Walmart and Target.
• Never click on an ad that pops up on social media or your browser. These pop-up ads can be trojan horses for malware, or fake websites designed to take your money and not deliver the goods.
• If you do choose to shop online, make sure to read the reviews and comments before purchasing the item. By reading all the comments, you may find out that the vendor is a scammer or sells subpar products.
• When shopping on Amazon, you are generally safer buying an item labeled ‘Amazon Pick’ than through the multitude of third-party vendors who sell on Amazon. This article explains what “Shipped and Sold by Amazon”  means.
• Only buy from brands you recognize.
• Be wary of deals that sound too good to be true.
• Don’t fall for “free shopping spree” advertisements or promotions.
• Don’t enter a shopping sweepstakes without reading the fine print. Legitimate sweepstakes don’t send winnings through direct deposit, never require you to pay to get your prize, or need your credit card number to verify information.



At one time, buying computers or other digital learning tools was reserved for college-bound students. Now, many K-12 schools list those as part of a standard school supply. The same warnings apply when shopping for these products. Steer clear of deals that sound too good to be true; most often, they’re not a deal.

Student Safety

Many proud parents will be taking pictures of their adorable children going to their first day of school. These are happy memories and should be chronicled. But make sure those pictures don’t get in the wrong hands. Scammers and child predators are hoping that you’ll overshare personal information that would lead them to your home, computer, or, even worse, your child. 

Here are some safety tips

• Back-to-school photos often have the child holding a board with their full name, age, and school name. The bad guys can use this information to commit identity theft or find a way to engage with your child.
• Choose a generic background for your pictures and turn off ‘location’ on your phone. 
• Before you post, make sure to check your privacy settings to ensure no one but your friends can see your post.
• Once posted, watch out for phony friend requests. Never accept friend requests from strangers.
• Teach your children about internet and phone safety. An iPhone opens up a world of access to your child, both good and bad. The bad can have very serious ramifications. 

Think of teaching Smartphone do’s and don’ts like training a youngster how to drive.