5 minute read
Essential Tips for Shopping Safely Online
Online shopping has become more popular, but it’s also attracting more fraudsters. In 2022 alone, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 800,000 cybercrime complaints, with potential losses of USD 10.2 billion, an increase of 48% from the previous year. It doesn’t take much to ensure safe online shopping.
All of the tips listed below are easy to use and will greatly increase your protection against most types of fraud and hacker attacks when you are either surfing or shopping online.
Key Takeaways
- Watch Out for Scams: Stay alert to phishing, fake websites, and non-delivery scams.
- Use Secure Payments: Choose credit cards or PayPal over debit cards for better protection.
- Guard Your Information: Share only essential details and be wary of apps asking for too much.
- Enhance Online Security: Use secure connections, enable 2FA, update software, and avoid suspicious deals
Common Online Shopping Scams and Threats
Online shopping has become a popular convenience, but it also comes with risks. Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for:
- Phishing: Scammers send fake emails or messages that look like they come from trusted retailers to steal your personal and financial information.
- Fake Websites: Fraudsters create fake online stores that look legitimate to trick you into paying for products or sharing your details.
- Overpayment Scams: When selling items online, you might receive counterfeit checks or money orders, which can lead to financial loss.
- Bait and Switch: Sellers advertise a product but deliver something completely different or of lower quality.
- Non-Delivery Scams: You pay for items that never arrive, leaving you without your money or your purchase.
10 Security Tips for Online Shopping
Make Purchases Only With a Secure Connection
To protect your financial information and passwords from being stolen, it’s essential to secure your computer against malicious software. Surprisingly, many people in the U.S and UK. still don’t adequately protect their devices. Here’s what you can do:
- Use a Secure Connection: Make sure your computer’s firewall is on. Check out guides on YoutTube if you don’t know how to enable the firewall yourself.
- Encrypt Your Wireless Network: This prevents anyone outside your home from accessing your data when you shop online.
- Use a VPN: This tool encrypts your traffic and prevents you from being tracked. A good VPN can not only boost internet, but also significantly increase your security. And with VeePN, you can even shop anonymously.
- Avoid Public Networks for Financial Transactions: You can’t be sure if these networks are compromised.
Choose Credit Cards
A stolen identity or an empty bank account are surprises nobody wants. Safeguard yourself with identity theft protection.
When shopping online, it’s best to use credit cards or payment services like PayPal. Debit cards are directly linked to your bank account, putting you at higher risk if your information gets hacked. Credit cards offer better protection and lower liability if your card number is stolen. This is one time when using plastic pays off.
Protect Your Personal Information
Be cautious when sharing information on websites. If you’re unsure, only provide the basic details needed for a purchase. It’s best to use online protection to prevent personal data from being collected without our knowledge and from being tracked.
Watch out for unusual email or phone requests asking to verify your account information. Remember, retailers will never ask for sensitive details like your date of birth or passwords.
Beware of Overly Tempting Offers
Be cautious of e-stores that offer prices that seem too good to be true. If a deal appears unusually cheap, consider these potential risks:
- The items may not have been obtained legally.
- You might never receive what you paid for.
- The products may be counterfeit or poor substitutes.
- The items could be defective or non-functional.
- Returning damaged goods might be impossible.
- The merchant could be profiting by selling your financial information.
Disreputable online stores might use a “bait and switch” tactic, luring you in with low prices only to claim the item is out of stock and push you to buy something else.
Update Your Software
Updating your software is a quick and easy way to protect your information, yet many people tend to delay it. These updates often enhance security and combat new threats that emerge constantly.
While waiting for your computer or smartphone to update and restart might seem inconvenient, the security benefits far outweigh the hassle. The next time you receive an alert to update your software, go ahead and do it.
Enable Two‑Factor Authentication (2FA)
To enhance your online security, always enable two-factor authentication (2FA) when available from legitimate online retailers. 2FA adds an extra layer of protection by requiring an additional credential, like a one-time passcode, beyond just your username and password.
This dual identification method can prevent 99.9% of automated attacks, according to a 2019 study by Microsoft.
Don’t Click on Links
Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true deals on social media, not just sneaky email attacks. Watch out for unbelievable offers via weblinks, holiday gifts, and bonuses. If an offer tempts you, do some research or check if others have tried it before clicking.
Shop with Familiar Sites
Searching for the best deals online can be tempting, especially when you’re after a bargain or this year’s must-have gift. But beware, using search engines can expose you to fake sites designed to scam you. These sites can look almost identical to real ones. To stay safe, it’s best to shop directly from brands you know and trust, rather than hunting for deals all over the web.
Avoid Sites That Ask for Too Much Personal Information
When making a purchase online, you’ll typically need to provide payment details, a shipping address, phone number, and email address. If a retailers asks for additional information, be wary.
Never share your bank account information, social security number, or driver’s license number. Some companies may inquire about your interests, but these questions should be optional.
Always check the site’s privacy policy to see how your data will be used. Look for stores that explicitly state they do not share, sell, or rent your information. Avoid those who claim ownership of your data and may misuse it. Stick with companies that respect your privacy.
Be Smart About Shopping Apps
Apps can make life easier, but they can also steal your private information. Only download shopping apps from trusted sources like the Apple App Store or Google Play. Always check the permissions an app requests.
If something doesn’t seem right, like a shopping app asking for access to your contacts, don’t allow it. Reading comments and reviews before downloading can also help you spot any suspicious activity.
Final Remarks
Shopping online is super convenient and offers great deals, but always do your research before making a purchase or sharing financial information.
If you are armed with our top 10 tips, you will be able to recognise a scam and not fall for it. Also, do not forget about logic, as it will often help you recognize lies, psychological tricks.
But it is important to remain cool-headed, not giving in to emotions, especially greed.
