Online shopping is a great way to Find bargains, compare prices and save money from anywhere with an internet or mobile data connection.
But getting a great deal online involves more than just getting the lowest price. You will want to be certain that the products arrive on time, that the quality is what you expected, that items include a proper warranty, and that there is a way for you to return products or get support with any questions or issues you have regarding your purchase. Here are some tips that you can apply to improve the security of your shopping experience.
Research the seller and website
There are thousands of shopping websites on the internet, with thousands of independent sellers. The majority of these are legitimate, but spotting the fraudulent sites takes a bit of research. If you’re using a website you haven’t used before, search for them online to see if they have any negative feedback or review. Better known e-commerce websites are more reliable, but they can still be vulnerable to pharming attacks.
Returns and counterfeiting
Before shopping online acquire some important information like how long will the delivery take and where is the item being sent from. Also, remember to check the return and refund policies. If they don’t have one, be suspicious. Knowing what the policy is will help you if something isn’t delivered or arrives broken, even if the seller wasn’t trying to scam you. There’s also a large online market for selling counterfeit goods. These can be hard to identify, even when you have got the product in your hand. But researching what the real product would cost, will give you an idea of when an offer is too good to be true.
Always place orders from a secure connection
If your computer isn’t protected from potentially malicious software, your financial information and passwords are at risk of being stolen along with everything else you store on your computer or do online. Use a secure connection and make sure your computer’s firewall is on. Avoid making any financial transactions when using a public network, as you may not know if it’s compromised.
How to identify a secure website
Before offering your card details on a website look for the following signs to know you are shopping safely. There should be a padlock in the address bar next to the website address. The website address should start with https://. The ‘s’ stands for secure. If you click the padlock symbol or just to the left of the address bar, you should see information on the site certificate.
Use a Credit Card or PayPal
Do not use a debit card or check as these do not offer the same level of security protection. Credit card purchases limit your liability to no more than $50 of unauthorized charges if your financial information is stolen, and the money in your bank account remains untouched. Most debit cards do not offer this protection and even when they do, you are the one out of funds in the meantime. Consider designating one credit card that is only for online shopping and transactions. This way, if the card gets compromised, you can quickly shut it down without impacting any other type of transaction.
So, what are you waiting for? Let online shopping begin!
