10 Essential Tips on How to Shop Online Safely

Intro

Online shopping is a quick and convenient way to get the stuff you need rather than dragging yourself around the high street. However, it’s important to learn how to shop online safely to protect your personal information.

While you may not have to worry about pickpockets while shopping online, there are still many risks you want to be wary of. For instance, submitting your personal information to a malicious website could make it possible for digital thieves or hackers to steal your credit card information and other personal data.

In recent years, hackers have become more creative and bolder in a bid to trick you into giving away your personal information. The following tips will help protect you from online fraud and scams and make sure you do get the item you order.

1. Only shop from reputable stores

Only shopping at reputable stores is one of the best ways to avoid getting scammed when online shopping. Such stores include well-known high-street shops, supermarkets, and established online stores.

Note that a reputable store will always display its full information, including full contact details, on its website. If you’re unsure about any store you’re shopping with, look up the company to see if anyone has experienced problems with them. There are also many simple ways you can detect if a website is fake or real when online shopping.

2. Avoid using a debit card if possible

Credit cards and online wallets are generally a safer choice when it comes to online shopping. This is because if anyone manages to steal your information, they can do less damage and you will have more recourse than using a debit card.

Since debit cards are linked to your bank account, you will be at a much higher risk. Plus, credit card companies will immediately reverse the charge in case they find a fraudulent transaction, and investigate the case. For debit cards, the bank might not return the money until an investigation is conducted.

3. Consider getting a disposable virtual card

Several companies offer disposable virtual cards to shop online. At the click of a button, you can create a new virtual card, which you can load with the funds you need and shop online as needed. The card details may be set to expire automatically and the virtual card is destroyed as soon as you’ve used it.

4. Trust your Instincts

If the deal looks too good to be true, it most likely is. If you’re getting a bad feeling about an online sale, just skip it. Don’t go through with it. If you think a site is just okay but its security doesn’t feel strong enough, consider making the purchase over the phone or looking elsewhere.

Furthermore, don’t shy away from looking up user comments or reviews from Google and sites like Trustpilot. In case you find that the site you’re shopping from has caused problems for other people, just avoid it.

Beware of any links, especially on emails, social media, and shady websites, to deals that seem to be too good to be true. Be on the lookout for unbelievable offers and bonuses. In case you’re too tempted by an offer, do some research to see if someone else has successfully taken advantage of the deal before going through with it.

5. Avoid stores that require too much information

Of course, expect to provide some information when making your purchase online, such as phone number, name, email, shipping address, and method of payment. However, if the merchant requires far more information than necessary walk away.

You should never want to provide banking account information, national ID or driver’s licence number, or similar information. Some companies may ask you about your interests, but these should be optional and you should always be cautious with this information. As a rule of thumb, stick with companies that respect your privacy and personal information.

6. Stay ahead of email scams

Be wary of email scammers that send out malware and viruses in the guise of special offers or gifts. Avoid opening emails from websites you haven’t visited or from people you don’t know. Another way malicious people might try to get you is through sketchy messages from a bank or other financial companies claiming there’s a problem with your account. When in doubt, contact the bank directly and verify any potential issues. Never provide your account information in response to such emails.

7. Avoid shopping on public WiFi

Free WiFi hotspots are a godsend when you’re out and about. However, hackers like them more than you do. Since some of these networks are unsecured, you could end up compromising your personal data and financial information.

In case you’re using an unsecured WiFi connection, any information you enter, regardless of how secure the website is, is ripe for snooping. Patient hackers might have already joined the same connection and are waiting for opportunities to steal data from users like you.

So, never log into your banking apps or payment wallets like PayPal and Skrill over public networks. If you’re on the go and you urgently need to make an online purchase, just use your mobile data plan and avoid public Wi-Fi.

If you must use a Wi-Fi connection while outside your home, invest in a VPN, which is generally more secure than public Wi-Fi. However, it's always recommended that you wait until you get back home to make the purchase.

8. Double-check that the website is secure

Always make sure that you’re using a secure site before you enter any personal information. Be sure to check for the following:

• The URL should start with https://
• The address bar should be green and contain a padlock symbol on the browser
• Make sure that there are no spelling mistakes or strange characters

9. Check your statement often

To make sure that there are no fraudulent or unknown charges being posted to your accounts, it’s wise to check your statements every month. In case you spot a charge that doesn't seem authentic, report it to your financial institution immediately.

10. Use strong passwords

This is one of the most critical security steps, but often the one most people give the least attention to. Passwords offer the best security defences, but if you don’t create one properly, a hacker can easily guess them and compromise your account. Make sure that you create good passwords and update them as regularly as possible.