Online Shopping Safety Tips No One Tells You About

Online shopping is the new norm thanks to technology. It is convenient and allows you to access global markets, shop from the comfort of your home, and have the goods delivered within a few days. However, getting a good deal online involves more than just looking for the lowest-priced products. You want to ensure you get the quality you expected, timely delivery, warranty, and support with any questions you might have. You can apply the following tips to enhance the security of your online shopping.

Ensure your connection is secure when placing orders

Ensure your computer’s firewall is on before shopping online. If your computer is not safe from malicious viruses, you risk your financial information and passwords when shopping online. If you are browsing using a wireless network, ensure it is encrypted to prevent anyone from collecting your data. Also, avoid making financial transactions using public networks because you never known if it is compromised. You can utilize a VPN to protect your server.

Know your retailer

You should do your diligence before purchasing anything from an online retailer to ensure you can trust them. Find a Local Online Marketplace you know and trust, and bookmark your favorite shopping sites for easier browsing the next time. You can base your research on sites dedicated to reviewing online stores or check customer reviews before making your decision.

Beware of too good to be genuine offers

It is common to come across enticing offers online that appear too good to be true. Any e-store that promises items at abnormally lower prices is probably a scam. If you see such, confirm if the items are legally sourced, if they are the actual brand or a substitute, if the item will work, if you will get the items you paid for and if you can return damaged items. Note that some online merchants are usually after your financial information to sell it to third parties.

Avoid e-websites that require more than necessary information to purchase

When shopping online, avoid e-stores that ask for unnecessary information for you to make a purchase. You should only expect to provide your shipping address, name, and contact information. Avoid merchants who ask for bank account information, social security number, or even identity card numbers. Also, it is vital to check the site’s privacy policy on how they use your information and stick to sites that uphold your privacy.

Check the shipping terms beforehand

Before you place an order, check the company’s shipping terms. Some online stores may charge extraneous shipping fees that could turn an affordable deal into an expensive one. Understand the couriers they use and be highly cautious if your items require more than ten shipping days.

Use your credit card, not a debit card.

It is best to use your credit card when shopping online. One reason is that a credit card doesn’t give the seller direct access to the money in your bank account. Secondly, credit card purchases always restrict your liability to no more than $50 of unauthorized purchases if your financial information is stolen. But most debit cards do not provide this kind of protection.

With these safety tips, you are ready to shop online safely.