Jim WinsettQ. When shopping, I am often asked if I would prefer an e-receipt. Is this safe and secure with all the data breaches experienced by retailers in the past year?
A. More and more retailers are asking in-store shoppers if they would like to receive an electronic receipt by email. Consumers who shop online are already used to receiving receipts in their email inbox. So this shift to e-receipts may not seem new. Also, shoppers may opt for e-receipts in order to have less paper to track and fewer paper receipts that could get lost.
However, because shoppers are physically in the store, they may not consider all of the implications of making part of the transaction digital. The Better Business Bureau offers the following information to consider when opting for electronic receipts:
• When asking you to provide an email address, retail clerks do not often ask you to opt in or out of receiving promotional emails as well. So retailers may send you promotional emails with your e-receipt or even sell your email address to third parties.
• If an email is incorrectly entered or your email service thinks you are receiving spam, you may not get your e-receipt, making returns and exchanges difficult. If given the option to receive both e-receipt and a paper copy, consider getting both until you know that receipts from the retailer will arrive in your inbox.
• As this trend become more popular, consider setting up an email account specifically designated for email receipts.
*Beware of phishing emails that look like digital receipts. Scammers and identity thieves are always looking for creative ways to defraud others. When in doubt of an email's legitimacy, never click any links or download any attachments. Instead, go to the retailer's known and verifiable website to find the information you seek.
• When experiencing this blended in-store and digital shopping experience, consumers should continue to be vigilant with cyber security. Use strong, unique passwords for all online accounts, and change them regularly.
• Password-protect your computer and mobile devices, where sensitive personal information may be stored. And install software and app updates as soon as they are available to reduce security risks and vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau of Chattanooga.