10 Tips for Safe Online Shopping

How safe is online shopping? Is it safe to shop online?

The Internet has become a significant part of our lives. Whether we want to order groceries or book tickets, we now rely heavily on the web to get things done. And thanks to the convenience of online shopping, it’s becoming easier than ever.

But despite its benefits, online shopping comes with some risks. Hackers can steal your personal information and even take over your account. If you don’t follow these simple steps, you might fall victim to identity theft.

How Can I Be Safe Online Shopping?

Are you considering online shopping as a safer alternative to shopping in-store? Learn how to shop online safely. Protect yourself against fraud with these tips.

As mentioned here, it is convenient, easy and quick. We can shop when we want, compare prices, and have the merchant deliver our purchases to our front doors. Best of all, there are no lines or supermarket parking lots to negotiate online. What’s not to like?

While most online transactions will be uneventful, security on those purchases is not a given, so don’t take it for granted.

With the increased volume of online shopping, consumers must understand the potential security risks and know how to protect themselves from scammers.

What Are the 10 Online Safety Tips?

I have compiled a list of valuable tips to help you have a safe shopping experience, not just during the holiday season but all year round.

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1. Use the latest version of your preferred web browser. Ensure your computer has up-to-date antivirus software.
2. To protect your personal information, don’t shop in public or on a public Wi-Fi network. Do your shopping in the privacy of your own home using your personal computer or a mobile device whenever you need to do something sensitive while online. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to secure your internet connection further.
3. Know the name or reputation of any company you’re shopping with and the items. Avoid scams by checking reviews. Read reviews from other customers about their experiences to learn what others say about the merchant before purchasing anything online. This can help you avoid scams and fraudulent activity. Beware of fake reviews! Some companies pay people to leave positive reviews. So, watch out. If a review seems too good to be true, it usually is.
4. Trust your instincts. Compare prices between different retailers. You may find that you get better deals elsewhere. Don’t buy from shady sellers. If you do not feel comfortable shopping on a particular website, don’t!
5. Always check the Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, Cancellation Policy, Returns Policy, Complaint Handling Policy, Terms and Conditions, Shipping Rates, payment option and other online store details. Be careful with free trials. Read the fine print. Know what information is required from you and what they intend to do with the data. Find out if they will share your information with a third party. What are the terms for order cancellation, and how will they handle any returns or complaints? If possible, print out the information and keep a hard copy.
6. Look for verified ratings and third-party seals of approval, e.g., BBB and TRUSTe seals, etc. These seals show if they abide by rigorous standards, such as how they use your personal information, e.g. your email address and password. If you see the seals, click them to ensure they link to the organisation that created them. Some merchants use these seals on their websites without permission.
7. Limit yourself to secure sites only. These are websites with secure socket layers (SSL). You can tell a website is secured by the URL in your browser’s address bar. The address of a secure website using a secure sockets layer (SSL) starts with HTTPS:// instead of HTTP://. Shopping safe platforms will also have a small, closed padlock symbol or padlock icon in the lower-right corner of the screen. Watch out for phishing emails that pretend to be from reputable companies. Some companies may request that you create an online account on their website to improve your online shopping experience. Use a strong password if you create an account with an online retailer before you can complete your online purchase. If the option is available, use two-factor authentication and your mobile phone.
8. Pay with a credit card. Credit cards are safer than debit cards because they have built-in fraud protection. If your card gets stolen, you won’t lose any money. If possible, use a dedicated card for your shopping. Unlike debit cards, credit cards give you an extra level of protection. It also gives you the right to “charge back” if you feel you’re a victim of fraud. Your credit company will investigate your claim and remove fraudulent charges. Check your credit or debit card statements for unauthorised charges. Don’t leave your credit card statement exposed in a coffee shop, etc. If you notice any fraudulent credit card charge/purchase in your account, report it to your bank or card provider/card issuer immediately. Keep your physical card secured so thieves don’t use a card skimmer to steal your details.
9. Many shopping sites offer you the ability to save your card details. It’s not a bad idea. But what if someone has hacked their website? Common sense should tell you that your card would be open to unscrupulous persons who might use it for financial gain. So don’t store your credit card information on the online store’s website.
10. If anything goes wrong and you have an unsatisfactory shopping experience, contact the merchant about their service. Reputable merchants will try to resolve the issue. Some reputable companies might even offer you a gift card as compensation for shopping for various products. You can also contact your bank or credit card company, if applicable. If you suspect a law has been broken, you may file a complaint with the relevant law enforcement agencies. If you still don’t find a solution, take your business elsewhere.

10 Tips for Safe Online Shopping – Infographic

Few Things to Consider

Ensure you practice safe shopping with these tips above to protect yourself and your information.

Online shopping is safe and convenient, but you must take steps to protect yourself. Adopt best practices for using your credit cards and protecting yourself online.

Put these tips into practice. They will help you have a pleasant and safe experience.

Online business owners must not forget about cybersecurity too! The coming weeks will see a significant spike in shopping activities. It will help if you put security measures to protect your shoppers.

If you have an online shop, prepare for a significant spike in shopping activity during the holidays.

Shopping online may not be workable for everyone and every item. So, if you still have to shop in-store for groceries, etc., stay safe, practice social distancing and wear your face covering because of COVID.

Washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to clean them, reduce the risk of infection and curtail the spread of COVID-19. But when you don’t have access to a sink, hand sanitiser or disinfecting spray with at least 60% alcohol is a suitable alternative. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitiser or disinfecting wipes handy for easy access whenever you go grocery shopping. Make use of e payments alternatives and self-checkout options where available.

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If you have an online shop, prepare for a significant spike in shopping activity during the holidays.

Shopping online may not be workable for everyone and every item. So, if you still have to shop in-store for groceries, etc., stay safe, practice social distancing and wear your face covering because of COVID.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing what to look for when shopping online is essential. You don’t want to pay for something that doesn’t work or isn’t safe.

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