Shopping online is a convenient way to compare product prices, get product info from various sites and have your order delivered right to your doorstep without leaving the comfort of your own home. It is easy right? but comes with a lot of online risk. You need to know how to shop safely online
With more and more people trying to scam you out of your money or steal your card details. As cyber crimes has increased tremendously Thankfully, we have listed a few simple rules so you can have a safe and secure online shopping experience.
How to Shop Safely Online without risk
1. Browse from a secure connection before ordering
Ensure that your computer is secured against potentially malicious software so they cant steal your financial information and passwords. make sure your computer’s firewall is on. If you’re shopping online using a wireless network,ensure it is encrypted so no one outside the house can collect your information. Avoid making any financial transactions over a public network, you never can tell if it’s compromised.
2. USe trusted merchant with reputation
Ensure to proceed with your online transaction if the merchant is trusted like quickteller, paystack and the rest which we will list out soon in our post.
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Ensure that the site uses a payment gateway system that is trusted and secured. This will protect your card details from being stolen and used for other cyber crime activities.
3. Avoid Awoof offers that seem “too good to be true”
There is a proverb in pidgin English that says ” awoof de worry belle”. Be careful of online stores that offers too low discounts or almost free promo. this can be very suspicious and can be devastatingly disastrous.
Such online stores may run an absurdly low price offer and afte you entered your debit card details, they claim the item is out of stock. Now they have your financial details and can do much damage than good. It is called “bait and switch” scam in the online world
4. When buying a Gift Card, read the Terms and Conditions
Ensure the store is legitimate, that the person uses the store, and that there are no hoops they will have to jump through.
5. Don’t use an e-store that requires more information than necessary
Be informed to avoid any online store that requires more information than necessary to make the sale. Once the info required is beyond the usual method of payment, shipping address, telephone number, and email address and they rather requests other information, “FLEE”. You never want to give them your bank account information, social security information, or driver’s license number.
It is good to read the site’s privacy policy to understand how exposed your information may become.(i still won’t advice you to share sensitive info even after reading privacy policy) Many stores clearly state that they do not share, sell or rent consumer’s information – others say they own your info and can use it (or abuse it) however they choose. Adhere to the companies that respect your privacy.
6. Need to create a password for the site? – make it unique.
Most times there might be need to create an account with a password when you make an order. Usually, you can choose not to do this, and unless you will use the e-store frequently, don’t create an account. If it comes to creating an account, make your password strong.
7. Is the site secure?
Always check out the site to see if it has https: and not http: The https is secured with extra layer of security. That little ’s’ tells you the website is secure and encrypted to protect your information.
8. Use a Credit Card or PayPal
It has been shown and recommended to make use of Credit card as it has more protection than debit cards. I recommend you have different bank cards and designate one card only for online shopping and transactions. This way, if the card gets compromised, you can quickly shut it down without impacting any other type of transactions.
9. Always check the company’s shipping terms.
Some merchant’s charge exorbitant shipping fees that can turn a shopping bargain into an expensive mistake. Look to see if they provide tracking and insurance. Understand what carriers they use, and be particularly cautious if the item won’t be shipped within 10 days.
10. Use a reliable internet security program.
The most secured ways to stay safe online is by using an effective internet security product. Shopping is no exception. Rather, with the increasing volume of goods and data being exchanged online, security features like real-time anti-phishing and identity theft protection are recommended to add extra layer of security to your online shopping experience.
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