SAFE ONLINE SHOPPING

With the convenience of making purchases at the touch of a button, making next-day deliveries, receiving great deals,

And creating endless catalogs of items to buy, online shopping is becoming more and more popular.

Online shopping is a great way to do business and avoid crowds, but there are many dishonest sites on the internet.

When you shop online, protect your personal identity from malicious types by following these online shopping security instructions.

 

Online Security Instructions

Serious websites use technologies such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) to encrypt data transmission.

If you transfer private personal information such as your address or credit card number to another company,

Ensure that the information is protected when shopping on secure websites.

Shop on websites that use secure payment methods such as credit cards or PayPal, as they offer buyer protection in the event of a dispute.

Browsers will tell you when it is safe to give your credit card to your browser by showing you a green address bar,

While unprotected addresses are highlighted in red.

Organizations previously trusted with this seal include the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Verisign, Trusted, and Bizrate.

Search Website Badges

Always look for website badges on websites to make sure that when you click on them, you get to the company’s website via the link,

Even if the company has stolen images to appear legitimate.

When you shop online, enter your credit card or financial information, or visit an online banking or another sensitive transaction site,

Check the address of the pages. The address should start with HTTP / HTTPS with a padlock icon in the URL field.

The padlock indicates that the site is secure and uses encryption to encrypt your data so that. Identity thieves cannot intercept it.

Do not include your Social Security number, date of birth, or mother’s maiden name in an e-mail to a dealer website.

The best course of action is to enter the website name in your browser and not t click on any email links.

If the sender is unaware of it and notices small differences in the address,

Do not open the attachment or link in the message – it could be a virus or other malware.

Do not forget to contact your card company to block or stop using your card if you think criminals could use your card details for fraud.

 

 

Use Credit Cards

Credit cards are a smart option for online purchases because they offer protection for purchases and are a safer alternative to debit cards.

Using a credit card for an online purchase provides consumer protection if something goes wrong with your purchase,

And you never receive your purchase.

Many of the services you can use to pay for online purchases – such as Google Pay – give the merchant your credit card details.

You can also use third-party payment services such as Apple Pay which pays for purchases without giving any credit card information to the merchant.

You never want to give a dealer your bank account information, social security information, or driver’s license number.

 

About Privacy Policy

Check the privacy policies of the websites to understand how exposed your information might be.

Companies may ask questions about your interests, but these are optional, so you should be careful about providing this information.

While many stores say they do not share, sell or rent consumer information,

Others say they own your information and can use or misuse it if they want to.

Do not use e-shops that require more information than is necessary for a sale.

Disreputable online shops – like their brick-and-mortar counterparts – can offer low prices, claim items are out of stock,

Or try to sell you something for free (a classic bait-and-switch scam).

As for gift cards, make sure the deal is legitimate and only use them if there are no hoops to jump through.

Before you make a purchase, read reviews and hear what others have to say about them.

 

 About Reviews

You can also lookup their physical location and customer service information.

If in doubt, call the store to confirm that it is legitimate.

Before you make a purchase, read reviews and hear what others have said about them.

Remember, if an offer sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is.

 

 

^{More Online Security Tips…}

Print an up-to-date copy of your online transaction, including product description, online receipt,

Terms and conditions, warranties, company information, confirm email and store it in your records when you purchase.

Read your card statements as soon as you receive them, and be on the lookout for charges you don’t recognize.

It is also good practice to c. regularly check your credit report, as false information can signify an identity thief is at work.

Never send financial information about your credit cards and always check accounts for Social Security numbers in emails.

Shopping online without stepping outside the door or queuing may seem convenient,

But using public Wi-Fi to shop can be a dangerous practice.

 

Purchase With A Secure Connection!

Try not to make online purchases when you use a public computer, for example, in an airport lounge,

But you can use a public Wi-Fi network, for example, in your favorite café or hotel lobby.

You never know when your data will be tracked or logged, so it’s best to wait until you get there.

Fraudsters can access your financial and personal information over an open Wi-Fi network.

Therefore, it is advisable to do online shopping at home with a secure connection.

Avoid purchasing items over public Wi-Fi or public computers, as these do not guarantee your privacy.

At home, make sure your computer has a firewall and password to protect your wireless network.