During promotional events, online shopping sites often offer attractive deals. Cyber criminals often take advantage of these popular periods to perform scams. When in doubt, remember the old saying, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”. While there are many real offers that can global parcel tracking give you good value for money, you should always be careful with offers that sound great. In addition to checking your bank statements, it is good practice to regularly review your credit card and bank account transaction history to verify unusual activities, such as unauthorized payments.
It is easy to compare prices between multiple retailers and read product reviews for both customers and professionals before you buy. The product selection has been expanded to say the least, including many stores and unique items sold outside the country. But while internet scams and cyber criminals are flourishing, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should avoid shopping online completely. Safe shopping is even possible online, as long as you take the right precautions and follow important security tips on the internet.
As a different level of security for secure online purchases, you can use a temporary credit card to make online purchases, instead of your normal credit card. Ask your credit card company if you can receive a temporary credit card number. Holidays have become big business for online shopping, which is why many online retailers have started offering similar or better deals than their store counterparts. While online shopping can be a great way to make a deal and avoid crowds, there are still many fraudulent sites on the internet. For the best shopping experience, make sure that the website you buy has a good reputation and that your personal information is safe. If you are unsure what to look out for when trying to tell if a website is safe to buy, we have compiled a list of ten things to consider when shopping online.
Dark sites that sell products at great discounts can be fraudulent and steal your credit or debit card information when you enter this information. A Cyberereason survey to stay safe while shopping online during the holidays found that 62 percent of respondents are concerned about hacking while using the internet to find gift cards. Despite their security concerns, 40 percent of people said they will not change their online shopping habits. While checking your credit card statements on unknown transactions is still a good idea, mobile alerts can instantly update you when there are new activities on your credit card accounts.
Also use a credit card when using a payment gateway, such as PayPal, Google Wallet or Apple Pay. Some online retailers offer the option to store your credit card information after you have made a transaction. While this provides more convenience with future transactions, you may compromise your credit card information.
Just shop at sites that use secure payment methods, such as credit cards and PayPal, as they are likely to provide buyer protection in the event of a dispute. Shipping, especially for the next day’s delivery, could yield the total purchase price more than you would pay in a store. There was a time when many sites offered free shipping as a way to attract customers. While those days are over, except during the holidays, some sites still offer free or discounted shipping for selected items, purchases for a specified amount or with a valid coupon code.