Events of identity theft and fraudulent online shopping are increasing day by day. No wonder, fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit users. Still, most online shoppers do not know the rules for safe online shopping. If you do not want to be one of them, take precautions. Read on to find out how to shop safely and protect your money.
The Hidden Risks of Online Shopping
Online shopping users are vulnerable to threats such as phishing scams, parcel theft, and parcel fraud. Intruders who perform such activities are hard to detect. Identity theft is different from traditional theft. This is why scammers of this kind are hard to find.
Therefore, a safe online shopping experience relies on how you interact with the situation. Of course, online stores should prioritize safety for their customers. However, users should take some amount of responsibility in terms of keeping their information safe.
In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), USA received around 2.2 million reports involving online fraud. Consumers reported losses of around $3.3 billion. Whereas, in 2019, the losses were around $1.5 billion.
More recently, companies such as EasyJet, Amazon, and eBay leaked billions of consumer information. As such, online shoppers had to face massive financial losses. Therefore, it is important for every online shopping user to take matters into their own hands and prioritize safety.
Useful tips for safe online shopping
Follow these safety tips when shopping online and save yourself from trouble.
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Choose websites with HTTPS when shopping online
Whenever you are visiting an online store, make sure that the website uses HTTPS. It means that the website has TLS encryption. As a result, your information stays secure between the online shop and the browser. Websites with HTTPS do not safeguard your data completely. At least you get a sigh of relief because they are one step forward in securing your data.
Before putting your details, check if the website address starts with “https://”.
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Look for legitimate online stores
Double-check if you are on a legitimate online store before putting in your details to complete the purchase. Several events like Black Friday Deals are opportunities for hackers to exploit users. Scammers will lure customers to the fake websites by spoofing the address.
You may think that you are buying a new pair of jeans from Lee Cooper. However, if you notice the URL, you may find something like “licopeer.com” (for example). In that case, delete your details, if you entered any and close the browser tab.
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Be gentle with URL shorteners
Internet marketers like to use short URLs for a reason. They want to hide tracking codes otherwise visible on a long URL. However, hackers can use URL shorteners to hide the real URL. Or else, you might notice the fake website address.
When you find an ad with a short URL, consider navigating to the original website to see if the deal is genuine or not. If the deal is real, it should be on their official website as well. If not, the short URL came from a scammer for sure.
Although it is safe to click a short URL, make sure that the website on which you landed is legitimate.
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Never click on links sent over email
Scammers might use email links to get information on your credit card. This is called phishing. It is one of the effective and popular ways to snatch user details by using crafted messages. The email will talk about discounts or best deals that are hard for users to resist. Also, it will contain a spoofed URL that will take you to the order page. Everything looks convincing to the user.
If you receive a similar email, especially on special events such as Black Friday, etc., ask yourself:
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Why do they need my details?
Legitimate websites will never ask for personal information even after completing the purchase. If the email asks you for information that the website already has, ignore the email.
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Where do the links take you?
It is unwise to click the link that you received in the email instantly. Make sure the domain name and type of domain are legit. For example, in “www.amazon.com”, “Amazon” is the domain name, and “.com” is a top-level domain. Click the link and see where it goes.
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Who sent you the link?
Amazon and eBay are popular sites best suited by hackers for phishing. Scammers will set their names under amazon.com or ebay.com. And, users will believe the deal is real. Keep in mind that only employees can use email addresses that end in @amazon.com or @ebay.com. So, inspect the email closely before moving forward.
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Do not use public Wi-Fi for online shopping
It is not a good idea to shop online when using public Wi-Fi hotspots. Hackers and scammers use these networks to fool online shoppers. A public Wi-Fi network has a poor security feature. Hackers can scan the network for a weak connection and choose their victims. Public computers too are vulnerable. However, there are ways to improve security when using one.
If you need to use a public Wi-Fi network, make sure you are using a VPN. The encrypted traffic ensures that your information stays safe after hitting the “Buy” button.
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Keep an eye on your banking account statements
Always keep an eye on your purchases, especially their prices. It helps you identify fake businesses or hacks so that you can act fast. Even legal online shops might include misleading discounts or hidden fees once you make the purchase.
A banking app allows you to track the payments immediately. Ensure that the push notifications are turned on. You can also look at your credit and debit card statements. Find if there are any fraudulent charges. If you find one, contact your bank and tell them you have become a victim of online fraud. Your bank will make the card invalid. Any leaked information will become useless.
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Use virtual credit cards
A digital credit card is a virtual credit card intended for online use. These virtual cards link to your actual debit or credit cards. As such, you can visit online stores and buy anything without using your actual cards. That way, your information stays secure. The best part is that virtual credit cards do not reveal the CVV code. Additionally, you can set these cards according to your needs. Either the card will expire after a day or you can set purchase limits.
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Update your browser
Your browser takes you from one website to another. Hence, you need to keep your browser updated. An upgraded or updated browser contains the latest privacy and security extensions. As a result, it protects your information from potential leaks.
Certain hacking tools target loopholes that older versions contain sometimes. An old browser may show you fake online stores, too. Keep in mind that upgrades or updates released periodically keep a tab on vulnerabilities. Always update your browser to keep hackers at bay.
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Use passwords that you do not forget easily
Having a secure password is an important aspect when shopping online. However, users tend to forget passwords whenever they open new accounts on new shopping sites. Creating a secure and unique password for each shopping site can be long. Especially, if you wish to do plenty of shopping in the long run. Or else, you can use a password manager.
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Give less information
After conducting a couple of purchases on legitimate shopping sites, you know what type of information they need. You will be asked to provide:
- Name and phone number
- Address where you need the product delivered
- Billing information
Sometimes a website may ask you for extra information. If it is not optional, discontinue shopping on that website. Although online stores may need your information for promotional purposes, it is not mandatory. Online stores should never ask for personal details or even passwords to other online stores. If that happens, you are likely going to be scammed.
When you shop online, opt for a secure payment system such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or other reliable digital wallets. If you use these options, it improves your security. Trusted payment methods encrypt your payment details and create unique transaction codes. This is how they protect your information from hackers and scammers. Reliable payment methods provide you with buyer protection. You get complete peace of mind because your information will not be misused or exposed.
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Use a robust VPN
As you know, a VPN protects your privacy and security when online. VPNs block fraudulent ads and websites to give you a satisfying shopping experience. A good VPN comes with lots of features that give you freedom when shopping online. With a VPN, you get complete digital privacy and shop peacefully. Furthermore, VPNs block tracking parameters that many websites add to URLs to monitor your shopping habits.
Conclusion:
To safeguard your online shopping habits from being misused, stay vigilant every time you visit online shopping sites. If you find an unbelievable offer or deal, you are likely to become a victim of an online scam.
