Saving Advice - The internet has made shopping easier than before. Whether you want to get some groceries or order a book, you can do it seamlessly from the comfort of your home. Online buyers save a lot of money staying away from crowded malls. Despite the numerous benefits of internet shopping, the e-commerce space may not be safe for those who don’t know the basics of cybersecurity. Hackers can steal your sensitive information and hijack your account. With online shops, you may not have to deal with pickpockets, but there are several reasons to learn to shop responsibly. Here are some ways to shop safely and smartly online.
1.Try not to use your debit card
Consider using credit cards and online payment services like PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL) instead of debit cards. Since debit cards are connected to your bank account, they can expose you to financial risks when you shop online. Credit cards provide more protection to users. Credit card companies can swiftly reverse a fraudulent transaction. On the other hand, if you experience a problem while shopping with a debit card, your bank may not offer a refund until they complete a thorough investigation, which could take weeks and months.
2.Use secure websites only
The easiest way to identify a secure website is to look for the SSL certificate or “https” at the beginning of the website’s address; a lock icon shows a website has SSL encryption. Sites with “http” in the web address are not secure, so you don’t want to enter financial details on such sites. All legitimate online shops should be secure. Popular browsers like Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Chrome flag insecure websites; you must adhere to the warnings. Before providing any sensitive information, take time to verify the authenticity of the platform. Furthermore, watch for misspellings or a website with different top-level domain names (for instance, .net and .com may be two distinct brands). These deceptive variations in domain names are common tricks in the books.
3.Beware of fraudulent gift card exchanges
Online shoppers will want to watch for fraudulent gift card exchanges. Scammers often auction off gift cards on popular sites like eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) with little to no real funds on them. This can trick you into trading away cards you need for what you don’t. You may even get a used one. One way to shop smartly and safely with gift cards is to ensure the website you are using has a rock-solid money-back guarantee policy. Alternatively, you can opt for brick-and-mortar retail stores to get physical cards.
4.Use coupons and discount codes
Several online merchants offer attractive discounts that save you a bundle of cash, and you only need to enter the coupon code in your order form so that the system can deduct it from the total purchase price. You can save more money by leveraging the best coupons and discount codes to shop online. Sellers use these as a form of reward to create loyalty with existing customers. that said, they are an incentive to make a purchase, which benefits the buyer and the business. Discount codes may allow you to get expensive products for a much cheaper price, so feel free to consider this.
5.Consider delivery costs
Delivery can increase online shopping expenses. Therefore, make sure you always factor in the shipping costs. Some e-commerce sites may use free shipping to attract more buyers. Others also offer discounted shipping for select products purchased over a specific account. You can grab such opportunities with a valid coupon code.
6.Be careful with public WiFi
Shopping with free public WiFi could be an expensive mistake as these networks are not usually secure. To be on the safer side, you may want to avoid this. Activating your VPN app is also advisable if you are shopping via public hotspots like free ones at Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX). VPNs secure your connection and put you in stealth mode by masking your real IP address.
7.Use a password manager and other security tools
Use security tools, including password managers, to create complex passwords and passkeys. This helpful tool can keep track of all your passwords and auto-fill them as you shop online. You can also save time filling out personal details like mailing addresses when you use your password manager. Boosting your security with antivirus programs is also a smart idea. Paying for a robust security suite may be a necessary investment to fight spam and phishing attacks from websites. However, remember that installing security software isn’t enough – you have to update them. Otherwise, new threats can penetrate your security barriers.
8.Lie or ignore personal information on shopping forms
An online shop may not have a good reason to ask for your date of birth, social security number, and other sensitive information beyond the payment option. Therefore, feel free to lie or omit these details if retailers ask for too much. Once a scammer knows accurate details about you, stealing your identity is easy. Hackers frequently breach many top sites, so safeguarding your private information should be a key priority.
9.Outsmart email scams
Watch for email scams that send out viruses and malware in the name of a gift or special offer. Avoid opening suspicious emails from websites you haven’t used or people you don’t trust. Another trick the bad guys can use to get you is a fake message from your bank, suggesting there is an issue with your transaction or a problem with your account. Always contact your financial institution directly, and don’t reply to such fraudulent messages with your account details.
10.Be careful with shopping apps
Shopping apps make things convenient in many ways – unfortunately, that includes stealing your financial information. You may want to install shops from reliable platforms like Google Play or App Store. Also, be mindful of the permissions a shopping app may require. For instance, consider denying access to contacts if you feel that permission can compromise your security. You can identify good apps by checking reviews before downloading them, so feel free to consider this.