If you weren’t already shopping online, chances are high that you bought something through the Internet during the pandemic lockdowns – even local shops joined the online revolution. Whether it’s something you do every day or tend to avoid, here’s how stay safe from spoofed sites and make the most of online shopping.
Who are you buying from?
To avoid paying for something counterfeit, not as advertised or completely bogus, make sure you’re buying from a legitimate source. Look for contact information, return policies and a secured site with https or a padlock symbol in the address bar. If it’s missing this information, looks unprofessional, includes typos or offers deals that sound way too good to be true, you need to look elsewhere.
What do the reviews say? Are they legitimate?
Shop and product reviews can be very helpful – and very persuasive. Bear in mind that many brands are paying for incentivized positive reviews on their sites (this relationship may or may not be disclosed to shoppers). Be wary of overly positive or identical content in online reviews to avoid being disappointed.
What are the store policies?
Returns are often part and parcel of online shopping, but stores can vary in how they handle the process. Can you make a return at all, or is it final sale or store credit? Some companies require products be sent back within a week of shipping, while others give you a month or more. Some brands will pay for the return shipping while others will leave that expense to you. Make sure you know your options before buying.
Is your device up to date?
Shopping on a device with current software is essential to protect your personal and financial information from potential theft. Updates not only bring new features but also fix security issues that have been discovered.
Are you paying safely?
If someone else gains access to your personal or financial information, you’re at risk of losing money or having your identity stolen. So even though it’s tempting, never save your credit card details at checkout. Be sure to use password protected Internet when handling financial information; don’t use public Wi-Fi. Remember, a payment app like PayPal will never request money to verify your account.
Are those offers legitimate?
If you receive emails with offers from your favourite stores, double check that they are legitimate. Look for red flags like typos in the sender’s address or body of the email, unrealistic discounts, and offers you never subscribed to.
