Whether we shop out of need or it is an activity we enjoy anyway, our experience of choosing and buying our favorite products has been made so much better after the launch of online shopping platforms.
What’s better than getting all the stuff you need from the comfort of your home and having it delivered to your doorsteps right away?
However, one particular issue that has raised many concerns over the past few years is how reliable and safe online shopping is? This leaves customers wondering if there is anything they can do to make sure they stay away from fraud when purchasing things online.
Well, there are no fool-proof methods but there are a few things that you can keep in mind to shop safely online.
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Use Secure Internet Connection
A safe and encrypted internet connection is a pre-requisite of safe money transfer. Whether you are making a credit card payment, transferring money directly via a bank account, or sending funds from your debit card to another account, check details. You will be required to provide some of your personal information.
This data is not safe if you are using a public internet connection. Moreover, the internet that is not encrypted will allow hackers to access your information putting you at risk of a privacy breach.
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Read Reviews When Trying Out a New Seller
One advantage of shopping online is that you can easily search for reviews on a merchant before placing any order. This is particularly important when you are trying out a place for the first time.
Sometimes it is not just about finding good or bad customer feedback. You may also come across websites that either has not provided any contact information or their review section is completely blank. Red Flag!
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Avoid Websites That Promise Too Much!
You may come across some offers online that are too good to say no to. Well, these are exactly the ones that you should stay away from!
Although online stores offer a number of rewards on shopping and responding to customer surveys like the CrackerBarrel survey, they are not there to be an alternative for a full-time job or a permanent source of income. Any merchant who is promising you something extraordinary needs a bit more scrutiny before you proceed.
Furthermore, online platforms that are selling products that have a price too low as compared to the rest of the market are not completely trustworthy either. It is always better to be more cautious when shopping at such sites.
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Watch Out For Online Stores That Ask For Unnecessary Personal Information
E-stores typically require you to enter your full name, contact number, email ID, and specify the mode of payment. If a seller is asking for data more than this then it is better to walk away without booking any purchase.
Remember! You should never share your bank account number or social security number when shopping online.
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Sign-In With Secure Password and Username
Some online stores will ask you to create an account before proceeding with check-out or online payments. If you trust the seller or you have tried the merchant before then there is no harm in signing in with an account but you should keep in mind that the username and password you choose are secure.
Furthermore, once you are done with your shopping, log out of the site safely and never click on “Remember me” especially when you are using a public internet connection.
Take-Home Message
All reputable online stores have privacy terms in place and they try their best to keep your personal information and you away from any trouble when you are shopping online. However, some effort is also required from your side to make things work. Therefore, always keep these handy tips in mind. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry!
