May 30, 2021

How to shop online safely and avoid fraud

Online shopping is a great way to compare prices, find deals and save money anywhere with an internet or mobile data connection. But as its popularity increases, the stakes have also increased, as more and more people try to trick you with your money or steal your card details. Fortunately, if you follow a few simple rules, you can have a safe and secure online shopping experience free from fraud, deception, and fraud.

 


How to shop safely on the Internet away from fraud and deception


1- Beware of website fraud scams

You should be aware of fake scams, as fraudsters imitate the website you are trying to use to steal your e-card information.


When you are referred to a specific product purchase page, it will appear as if you have landed on the right website, but it is a fake version designed to steal your information. Beware of fake and odd looking web addresses with a selection of numbers and spelling of different letters.



2- How do you know if a website is safe

Watch out for the following signs to know that you are shopping safely. Remember, this only means that the site is secure, not that the seller is honest.

  • Lock icon - There should be a padlock in the address bar next to the website address.
  • Website address - must begin with HTTPS: //. S stands for safety
  • Green Address Bar - In some browsers and websites, the address bar will turn green.
  • Valid Certificate - If you clicked the lock icon or to the left of the address bar, you should see information on the site's certificate. This should tell you who registered the site. If you receive a warning about a certificate, avoid this website. Only put your card details in safe locations.



3- Important tips for shopping online safely

  • Do not use public Wi-Fi when purchasing from the Internet. Your network is more secure.
  • Do not buy from any online store until you are sure that it is safe, honest, and legal by reviewing its reputation on the Internet.
  • Keep antivirus software up to date and use strong passwords for online accounts.
  • Know your rights, delivery time, and customer interest before purchasing the product.
  • Pay with a credit card with a low balance. You will have more protection even if it gets hacked.
  • It is better to pay with PayPal. Fraudsters will not be able to obtain your bank details.
  • be clever. If the deal seems too cheap to be true, it is likely a steal your information trap.



4- How to ensure the legitimacy of the sellers on the Internet

There are thousands of websites to shop online, and many of them feature thousands of independent sellers. Most of them are completely legitimate, but spotting scammers require little research.

If you are using a website you haven't used before, search it online to see if they have any negative comments. For independent sellers on a website, you can check their reviews online on a site like TrustPilot.

Sure, the more popular e-commerce sites are more reliable, but they can be vulnerable to counterfeiting attacks. You can learn more about these later. If in doubt, check with the Companies House, or for financial services firms, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) registry.

There is also some information you should know before purchasing online, such as:

Find out how long the delivery will take
The seller should be anywhere able to deliver for a known term, if the item is in stock.

Know the store's return policy?
If the store does not have a return policy, the store must be suspicious. Knowing the policy will help you if something isn't delivered or broken, even if the seller isn't trying to trick you.




5- The safest way to buy online

Protecting yourself when paying is very important. You might lose a little money if you buy from a fake seller, but you might lose a lot, or even everything if your data is stolen.


Many banks and building societies are adding more security when purchasing online, including dual authorization (2FA).
This means that when you are in online checkout, you will have to pass an extra level of security to prove that you are making the purchase.
The most common form of two-factor authentication is a one-time code, sent via text message, to the phone number registered to the account. However, it may also include a security question, logging into the mobile banking app, or a fingerprint scan.
Using an electronic money service like PayPal is something worth considering as you don't have to provide your physical card details.

 

6- What do you do when your information is stolen?

If your card information has been stolen, or you believe that your card has been used fraudulently, inform your bank immediately so that it can stop any further use of it.


As long as you did not act fraudulently or negligently, you will usually get a refund from your card company if your online card details were used by a criminal to commit fraud.
If you believe you are the victim of a fraud, you can also report it to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040, or use their online reporting tool or on the FCA website to combat fraud and fraud.

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