Online shopping is part of our life today but some still worry because they are afraid that their credit card details could end up in the wrong hands. Online shopping is sure to last and security measures continue to increase. There is evidence that shopping online is actually safer than shopping over the phone or even in person, as you never actually give your card details to another person. Just remember to follow these simple rules to shop online safely and ensure you have a risk-free experience.
Steps
Step 1. Make sure you know the identity, location and contact details of the online provider
There are online companies whose name is known, such as Amazon.com. In addition, many real shops also have an online sales channel, as an integral part of their sales service and therefore you already know their reputation. However, it is important to establish the identity of lesser-known online companies, which you do not already know or which do not have a real store. In this case, it is important to look at the name, company registration details in your country, contact details which include an email address, postal address and telephone number, as well as a clear indication of where the main office is located.
Step 2. Find out more about the company's reputation
After checking these identifiers, make sure the company has a good reputation on the Internet. Don't think that just because a real shop sells efficiently, they do it online as well. Online there may be a risk of a lack of service or merchandise return policies, etc. which is not present when you buy directly from the real shop. To find more information, you can search search engines by viewing comments from other buyers on consumer sites. Many serious online companies allow people to leave their own judgment on services and products, for example computer and camera stores. You can read these comments and decide whether to buy. Another way to determine the reputation of an online business is to check complaints through the consumer association. This type of organization can provide you with more information than the company, including all complaints. Plus, the first time you shop, you can call or email the company and ask your questions.
Step 3. "Before you buy" check the payment method, the guarantee and the shipping methods
Always try to find out if there are any additional charges and check your payment details before submitting your credit card details. Verify:
- Packaging costs - these should be clear from the start
- Delivery costs - these should be clear from the start
- Whether you will pay before or after the delivery of the products
- If you can track the product from the time of purchase to the time it is delivered to you - this will help you spot any delivery issues right away
- If the product comes with a warranty or malfunction clause etc.
- How you can return the product if it does not work or does not meet your expectations - search the site for information regarding cancellation, return and refund policies. Print a copy for the future.
- Who will bear the costs in case of return (mail, tariffs, etc.)
- If there is a period within which to exercise the right of withdrawal for purchases of a certain value.
Step 4. Read the privacy policy on the site
Serious companies publish how they collect your information and what they do with it. Today, many are part of secure selling programs that set guidelines for handling your information. Look for the privacy policy and try to understand how they use your personal information before making the transaction, for example, if they email you future updates and offers, or if they pass the information on to third parties. This is how you end up receiving spam emails if you're not careful. At the end of the day you will need to decide how much information you are ready to provide.
Step 5. If you decide to transfer money through a site, use only the safe ones
Once you are satisfied with the company you are buying from, make sure your credit card details are processed through a secure connection. The best known form of encryption is what is known as Secure Sockets Layer or SSL. SSL encrypts the data and breaks it down into small pieces so that the information cannot be read by anyone intending to intercept it. To verify that the site you buy on uses SSL or a secure technology, there are a few things to check on your browser:
- Depending on the type of browser you use, you may receive a message telling you that you are entering a secure area. The safe area usually starts from the home page where you enter your personal details.
- Often your internet address bar on your browser will change from http to https. The "s" indicates that the site is safe; however please note that you will not see the "s" until you are on the purchase page.
- You can also look for the padlock symbol on your browser, which indicates that the page is safe. The lock should be closed. If it is open you have to assume that the site is not secure.
- On a secure site you may also find an unbroken key.
Step 6. Be careful when entering information
Make sure you enter the correct details when filling out the different fields of your order. An incorrect address, quantity or product code can cause you several difficulties. Before clicking submit, check all fields again.
Step 7. Use your credit card using online fraud protection
In case all else fails, it is good to know the online fraud protection policies offered by the company that issued your credit card. Many of these offer purchase protection and have special clauses for online purchases.
Step 8. Install a Phishing Filter
There are several phishing filters, such as SmartScreen Filter on Internet Explorer, which will help protect you against phishing sites by warning you when it detects an unsafe site.
Step 9. Record the purchase details
After purchasing your item, always take note of the time, date, receipt number, and order confirmation. If you can't print everything, take a Microsoft screenshot as proof of your purchase.
Step 10. Beware of scam emails designed to steal your credit card information
Email scams organized to collect personal information such as passwords and credit card details are known as email pishing. The scam involves sending thousands or hundreds of thousands of e-mails in the hope that someone will fall victim to the trap by disclosing their personal information. The emails appear to come from well-known companies and can seem quite convincing. However, real businesses, including banks, will never send you an email containing a link asking for your username, password or credit card details. If you have any doubts, instead of clicking directly on the link, write the name of the company to which it refers directly on the browser bar.
Advice
- Another security tool that credit card companies use is the request for an additional password. Examples are Verified by Visa or Mastercard Secure Code. This is an additional tool that offers support only on selected sites or within payment processing systems. If you activate the code and make purchases on sites that show the symbol, you will be asked to enter the password you have defined to authorize the payment to complete the purchase process.
- Some sites keep a register of non-serious companies. One of the American sites is the National Fraud Information Center (US).
- Never send your credit card details through unsecured online methods by email. Such methods offer you no protection.
- Today, more and more often, when you make an online purchase, stores ask you for your CVV or credit card identification number. The CVV code is that little code on the back of the card, on the signature line. The last 3 digits are usually required. This is to prevent anyone who knows your name, card number and expiry date from using it.
- Credit cards tend to offer superior protection as they do not directly withdraw funds from your checking account. If you verify a transaction or prove it to be fraud, you don't have to pay as your card provider provides a guarantee for your purchases.
- Take advantage of the disposable virtual credit cards offered by various vendors.
- If you are buying from a different country, check the currency you have to pay in, check the exchange rate and the ability to discharge taxes or fees when you receive the goods. Also make sure it is legal to buy from that particular country.
- For the first purchase, if you don't know that website, it might be useful to test it with a low purchase.
Warnings
- Keep your checking account details safe.
- If your browser warns you to pay attention because a site could steal your personal information, move away from it.
- Warn the police, consumer associations and / or chamber of commerce when you find a site that doesn't deliver what it promises, yet if it doesn't use a secure process to process the data, so other people can be warned too.
- Never authorize withdrawals that have not been previously declared. Always give authorization for the total that will be charged to your card.
- Don't buy from sellers who don't provide you with their contact details or have satisfactory answers to your questions.
- If you receive a suspicious email, do not open it or click on any links in it.
