With the increasing convenience of e-commerce, online shopping has revolutionized how we spend our money, Staying safe while shopping online is important and there are safety tips to note to do so
Internet shopping and e-commerce transfer of funds and receipt of products and services are incredibly easy. With the good comes bad, however, we are still concerned that e-commerce sites and online stores are safe to use and that our information is accurate, protected from identity theft and hackers on the Internet.
Here are 13 safety essential tips to ensure safe and secure online shopping:
- SSL Certificates: Always ensure the website you’re shopping from has an SSL certificate. Look for “https://” in the URL, which indicates secure data transmission.
- Use a Credit Card Compared to a Debit Card: Credit cards often offer better protection against fraud compared to debit cards.
- Avoid Sending Payment Information by Email: Emails can be intercepted by hackers. Use secure payment gateways instead.
- Use Strong Usernames and Passwords: Create unique, complex passwords for each site to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.
- Check Your Card Statement Regularly: Monitor your credit card statements for any suspicious transactions after making online purchases.
- Privacy Policy: Always review the website’s privacy policy to understand how your personal and payment information is handled.
- Check Terms and Conditions: Read the terms and conditions to ensure there are no hidden fees or return issues.
- Individual Cards: Consider using a dedicated card just for online shopping, so you can easily track spending and identify fraudulent charges.
- Use Familiar Websites: Shop from well-known and trusted e-commerce sites to minimize the risk of fraud.
- Avoid Shopping in Public: Avoid using public Wi-Fi when shopping online, as it can expose you to hackers.
- Use Antivirus Protection for Your PC: Keep your device protected with updated antivirus software to prevent malware attacks.
- Beware Amazing Deals: If a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is. Scammers often lure buyers with unrealistic offers.
- Buy from a Mobile Device, Not from a PC: Mobile devices are generally considered more secure than PCs for online transactions.