Online shopping is a way to buy and sell products or services, such as airline tickets, hotel stays, car rentals, and online music.
Nowadays, you don’t even have to step outside of your home to order groceries – most major grocery chains now provide an online service with same-day delivery. As a result, even buying books and clothes is easier than ever.
However, while online shopping offers many conveniences, it also presents consumers with certain security risks that aren’t present when they’re purchasing an item in person. With increasing numbers of people buying online combined with increasing technology, the digital world becomes more vulnerable to cybercrime, affecting various marketplaces.
There are many tips that online shoppers can follow to ensure their experience stays safe and secure while using an online marketplace or website.
The Following Are Some Tips That May Help You During Your Next Online Shopping Experience:
Take Advantage Of Any Protective Measures
It is important to also look at how many protective measures are available for shoppers. For example, there may be things such as low-income mobile banking and PayPal, which gives you protection if anything does go wrong during the transaction.
Use Well-Known Websites
When shopping on well-known websites such as eBay, there are internal systems that monitor external reviews. This means people who have had bad experiences have the opportunity to leave feedback about their experience so other consumers can see this before making a purchase themselves. It is also common for websites to have buyer protection policies in case the transaction goes wrong.
Check Who You Are Buying From
It is important to check who you are purchasing from so that if anything does go wrong, it can easily be taken up with the correct person or department. If no returns policy exists, this will also let you know your rights when receiving your item.
Contacting Customer Service
If an issue arises, it is always best to contact a customer service representative before leaving a review or making a complaint. They will be able to help you with any issues and assist in finding a resolution.
Most companies have a complaints procedure that lets customers know how to make a complaint, what will happen next and when an outcome should be expected. If the company cannot resolve your matter, then external dispute resolution schemes may help further.
Be Aware Of Online Scams
Some common signs can help someone spot if they are dealing with an online scam.
These include:
- The contact email address is not that of the company, but a generic ‘contact’ or ‘info’ email that you could easily find yourself.
- A quick check on the website shows many spelling mistakes and links to fake social media profiles to boost their credibility. There are also emails sent from free web-based accounts such as Gmail, Yandex, etc.
- They don’t provide any phone number or postal address for you to contact in person – only through email. If there isn’t a telephone number available, it leaves them with no way to prove who they are unless you meet in person.
Ensuring Your Security While Shopping Online
One of the most important things you can do while shopping online is that your device and internet connection are secure. Ensure that any passwords or pins for devices used to access a website differ from those other people may know.
For example, suppose you receive an unsolicited email asking for personal information. In that case, it’s best not to respond because there could be many reasons why the company has asked, such as checking whether you still use an old password they tried to contact you previously about.
