We are so addictive to online shopping and eCommerce websites, that it is not invariably impossible to give it up altogether. Well, if there are advantages of technology, it comes for a cost too. And we would never want to pay a cost that gets deep holes in our pocket.
Every year there are thousands of online fraud and cyber-crime cases however not all of them are solved in customer’s favor and many consumers pay a heavy cost of illiteracy on safe online shopping. While we are getting more attracted to online shopping, we are also making it more lucrative for scammers to trick us into paying for goods that we’ll never receive or end up compromising our personal details. Here in this article, we have compiled a few of the best tips to keep you safe while online shopping. Always ensure that you make use of these online shopping tips to experience safe online shopping.
Tips for Safe Online Shopping
1. Use Familiar Websites
One of the best online shopping tips is to shop only on trusted and familiar websites. Always research before you make any transaction on a new shopping website. It could be a trap to steal your card information and scam you.
2. Never Disclose Your SSN
Your SSN is your Identity. If someone has your SSN he can pull out all your information from sourced websites. No legitimate online shopping website will ever ask for SSN. Never ever disclose your SSN for a safe online shopping experience.
3. Keep Your Computer Clean
Always ensure that you wipe off stored cookies or passwords if your browser is not trusted or used by multiple users. A clean computer will guarantee you safety measures and ensure that your information is not stolen.
4. Look For The Secured Lock Sign
The security lock on the address bar before the website address is for a purpose. That indicates that the website is safe and secured to use. That is added after clearing security protocols by the website owner. Always ensure that the website address has HTTPS instead of HTTP before the URL.
5. Use Retail App Instead Of Browser
Most of the eCommerce companies have launched their mobile apps that are safe and secured with all the security benchmarking. It is advisable to shop online using Mobile Apps instead of giving away your card details and personal identity details over a known or unknown website.
Also Read: Best Online Shopping Apps
6. Use A VPN To Privatize Your Network
Whenever you are traveling, avoid making online transactions over public networks. If there is something really important, ensure that you use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to connect to a public Wi-Fi or hotspot network.
7. Skip Card Transactions, Use Phone Pay
If you are at a place where QR code scan is available, make payments through your Phone wallet rather than swiping your credit or debit card. Many a times we never know which swipe machine is cloning your card for fraudulent charge.
8. Don’t Just Give Away All The Information
If you ever experience that a random website is asking for way too much information that is required for a safe online shopping or processing a request, alert yourself and click on back to avoid processing the payment for so-called safe online shopping.
9. Reach Out Authorities On Fraud Detection
Never hesitate to share your rough experience or fraud attempt with authorities like BBB, Attorney General or FBI for the sake of prevention. This will increase your chances of recovery along with reduce chances of others to get scammed.
10. Prepaid Gift Cards Are Best While Traveling
If you are traveling, it’s better to use Gift Cards or prepaid card with a set limit. Even if you encounter a fraud, you will end up losing lesser amount rather than a swipe off your bank account.
11. Use PayPal Or A Credit Card Instead Of Debit Card
PayPal or a Credit Card has been the best payment methods as they process secured transactions only. The receiver’s information is also verified and we can file a Chargeback if we don’t find the charge authorized. With debit cards, it’s just complaints as requests to banks for investigation.
12. Familiarize With Company’s Terms And Conditions
Always read the company’s refund and payment terms and conditions before getting into an unauthorized payment process. Generally, people fail to go through the terms and conditions of rip off.
13. Never Save Your Card Information Or Identity
It is advisable to keep browser cookies clean and never save your card details or personal details on your browser. You never know when a cyber-attack can fish in all your details from your browser.
14. Say NO to Clicking Phishing Email Links
Never click on attractive attachments or links for the lucky draw or winning phishing email links. These are just traps to fool you around and collect your information for a scam.
15. Keep An Eye On Your Bank Statements
Always check your bank or credit card statements to identify if there is any unknown or unauthorized charge. The amount can be lessor or higher, but an uncounted penny is a penny lost.
Also Read: What are Cookies, Cache and their different types?
16. Make Use Of 2-Factor Authentication
Always keep 2-Factor authorization turned ON for all your credit or debit cards to avoid unauthorized charge on your statements. Without a correct OTP – (One Time Password), nobody can steal your money.
17. Don’t Fall For Lucrative Offers
Nothing comes for free! It always costs you something or another. Ensure that you never fall for lucrative offers or FREE, 1 + 1 deals and all. Always double-check that you are paying to the right person for safe online shopping.
18. Keep Your System Protected
Your computer is your best friend and can be your worst enemy too. Always keep a strong antivirus/antispyware/antimalware software on your computer to ensure that your computer is clean and healthy enough to make financial transactions. Keep the software updated to have information about the latest threats.
19. Keep Strong Passwords
Always ensure to keep alpha-numeric strong passwords. Keep different passwords for all your websites. You may also use a key generator to get strong passwords for safe online shopping. It should be strong enough but easy to remember for you to process transactions.
20. Use Your Own Device
Maximize the use of your personal device to process any sort of payment. Your device stays with you and chances of information breach is minimized.
Follow these online shopping tips to stay secured and experience safe online shopping!
