In a year, people conduct tons of transactions online, spending amounts of up to billions. Most online transactions and shopping are uneventful, but more than that, its safety isn’t guaranteed either. This article will aim to inform the average US citizen of how safe online shopping is, and how to buy safely online by spotting scams.
Online Shopping Safety
The Internet has made our lives very convenient. The internet made everything better. From being able to communicate with someone across the globe, buying food, accessing information tons of information, even buy essays online, and shopping online. With online shopping, you don’t need to go out. You have the option to shop when you want, compare prices, and have it delivered at your doorstep within the comforts of your own home. How convenient is that?
2019 is now all about “click and order” rather than “brick-and-mortar.” Way back in 2013, data have shown that 1 in 5 people living in the United States have done their holiday shopping online.
The Internet has opened a whole new opportunity for people to sell, not just their products, but also their services and expertise. You can take help in any sphere of your life. Heck, you can even buy essay online from professional essay writing service if you want to. After all, trying to take responsibility makes us better. Let’s hope that people won’t be irresponsible with their security as well.
As the internet slowly becomes a part of our lives, it’s important to know how to protect yourself, not just when shopping online, but on the Internet itself. Every day, you hear stories about people getting scammed out of their money, or falling prey to hackers. The truth is, hackers are more likely to get a hold of your credit card information over the phone, in public wifi, or mail than over the internet.
Safe Online Shopping Anytime, Anywhere
Here are a few steps that you can take to protect yourself online. As well as a few signs to look out to avoid yourself from scams.
Only do your shopping on reputable and safe online shopping sites. A prime example of that is Amazon. Even then, you still need to be doubly sure in typing URLs as scammers will often create a fake website with a slightly misspelled yet inconspicuous domain name.If you do buy from a new vendor, make sure to do your party and research them thoroughly. A good way to check is to see if you can contact them whenever something goes wrong. Look for phone numbers, emails, addresses, and a company website. Customer reviews are also a good place to start.Go only on secure websites. Spotting one is easy, especially if you know where to look. A secure website’s URL starts with an https:// rather than http:// - You can also look for a padlock, usually found on a browser’s address bar. When using public Wi-Fi, avoid using your credit cards, logging in your bank accounts, or access any confidential information. If possible, don’t use your mobile phones when shopping. Shortened URLs are often used in mobile devices because of it being phone-friendly. Which, if you’re not careful, may land you into shady websites.You should be the only one who has access to your accounts, debit, and credit cards. Doing so will ensure that no unauthorized transaction happens. If possible, set-up an authenticator for your account – this will further strengthen your account security.
Tips for Safe Online Shopping
Secure your information and buy safely online by following these few steps.
Be mindful of what information the vendor is asking for. Avoid providing further information than what’s necessary to complete the purchase. Never disclose any personal information through the phone unless you’ve made the call yourself. And never answer unsolicited requests regarding any information that can be used by hackers to social engineer their way into your accounts.Only use trusted and reliable payment options when conducting business online. There are many trusted platforms and methods that you can use such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Payments, etc.
If possible, use your credit card when purchasing something online. Your purchases through credit cards are often insured, and when something goes south, you can request a chargeback. And if you manage to put your credit card information on malicious sites, call your CC company and have your card frozen. But one of the safest ways to pay for an online purchase is through cash on delivery. Very straightforward. Never send cash through the mail or through any money remittance. Sending cash through couriers or remittance centers is one of the best ways of getting scammed.
After Purchasing Items Online
Log off your accounts – this is especially important when you’re sharing your living space with others.Document everything. Keep paper trails, save screenshots, and any form of a record of your online transaction.Check credit card statements for any anomalies, such as extra or unauthorized charges.
Conclusion
There’s nothing inherently wrong nor dangerous about online shopping. Provided that you take the necessary steps to protect yourself from falling prey to people who are looking to earn a quick buck. Protect yourself by following the steps listed in this article.