Every Friday, Lynda Steele dips into the viewer mailbag to answer your questions. This week, Steele on Your Side investigates Cyber Monday scams and transferring loyalty reward points after a death in the family.
Cyber Monday scams
Black Friday is coming to an end, but another day of shopping craziness is upon us with Cyber Monday just around the corner. Steele on Your Side has received a number of emails from viewers who come across online shopping scams, so here are a few security tips for Cyber Monday shoppers.
Be careful what you search for. Adding words like "cheap" or "discount" to your search more than doubles your chances of landing on a site offering counterfeit items. (according to?)
Another indication you may be buying a knock-off is finding a highly discounted name brand product. Luxury brands rarely go on sale, so if it seems too good to be true, it's likely a knock-off.
And don't forget the details. Elaborate websites often mimic legitimate merchants with subtle differences. Look for spelling mistakes and grammar errors on the site.
Transferring loyalty rewards
Allan wrote CTV News to ask about transferring loyalty reward points. His aunt recently passed away and he wants to know if her Aeroplan and Air Miles can be transferred to another account.
Reward programs vary when it comes to transferring points after a person dies.
Air Miles will allow a family member to merge their account free of charge with the account of their deceased relative by providing a death certificate and a letter signed by the executor.
When it comes to Aeroplan points, an heir may redeem the outstanding balance of the deceased’s account for one year after death. Again, you will need to provide a copy of the death certificate and will, plus pay a processing fee of $30.
