The Conversation - How to avoid online shopping scams

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With the coronavirus pandemic still sweeping the country, millions of us are doing our holiday shopping online. And as Americans are wont to do, many will be hunting for bargains. The challenge is avoiding those too-good-to-be-true temptations laid out for us by scam artists.

Mississippi State’s H. Colleen Sinclair has helpful tips for keeping your financial information secure and getting what you pay for as you keep yourself safe while shopping from home.

Also today:

Eric Smalley

Science and Technology Editor

A little digging can help you avoid those too-good-to-be-true traps when shopping online. martin-dm/E+ via Getty Images

Doing your holiday shopping online? Here are 10 tips for avoiding scams

H. Colleen Sinclair, Mississippi State University

Fraudulent sites are easy to set up and it's easy to get fooled, according to a psychologist who has advice on how to check out online merchants.

Economy + Business
How to pick the ‘right’ amount to spend on holiday gifts – according to an economist Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University Figuring out how much to spend on gifts can be stressful.

Environment + Energy
Spending time alone in nature is good for your mental and emotional health Brad Daniel, Montreat College; Andrew Bobilya, Western Carolina University; Ken Kalisch, Montreat College Many studies have shown that time outdoors is good for our physical health. Three wilderness education experts explain why periods alone in nature also provide mental and spiritual benefits.

Science + Technology

You’re not going far from home – and neither are the animals you spy out your window

Julian Avery, Penn State

With careful observation, you can start to recognize that one sassy squirrel or the cardinal pair who call your neighborhood home.
The psychological differences between those who love and those who loathe Black Friday shopping

Michael Breazeale, Mississippi State University

Some can't wait to hit the ground running while others would rather endure a root canal. Certain characteristics help explain who is in which group.
Cahokian culture spread across eastern North America 1,000 years ago in an early example of diaspora

Jayur Mehta, Florida State University

Five centuries before Columbus arrived, migrants were spreading across North America, carrying their culture with them and mixing with those they encountered in new places.

From our International Editions

The Kenyan film director taking on the world – with positive stories of black life

Lyn Johnstone, Royal Holloway

It wasn't just the film Rafiki - a joyful lesbian love story - but also the experience of going to watch it after it was unbanned that created a new kind of freedom.
How scribes of the ancient world were the pollsters of their day

Andrew Perrin, Athabasca University

There is a long history of recalculating historical prophecies and projections based on the theme of four kingdoms.
Ethical fashion is confusing — even shoppers with good intentions get overwhelmed

Harriette Richards, University of Melbourne; Natalya Lusty, University of Melbourne

We interviewed consumers about ethical fashion choices - they were well intentioned but overwhelmed. There are, however, some good sources of information for conscious shoppers.

The Conversation - How to avoid online shopping scams

Doing your holiday shopping online? Here are 10 tips for avoiding scams

Economy + Business

How to pick the ‘right’ amount to spend on holiday gifts – according to an economist

Environment + Energy

Spending time alone in nature is good for your mental and emotional health

Science + Technology

You’re not going far from home – and neither are the animals you spy out your window

The psychological differences between those who love and those who loathe Black Friday shopping

Cahokian culture spread across eastern North America 1,000 years ago in an early example of diaspora

From our International Editions

The Kenyan film director taking on the world – with positive stories of black life

How scribes of the ancient world were the pollsters of their day

Ethical fashion is confusing — even shoppers with good intentions get overwhelmed

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The NAACP's origin story

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