How to Shop Safely Online

Although many people still don’t feel entirely secure about using credit cards to purchase goods or services over the internet, the truth is that e-commerce is here to stay. If you’re sensible about it and actually take a few precautions, it is often safer than using your credit card in a restaurant (you know, when they disappear with it on a tray and bring it back 5 minutes later, you really shouldn’t let them do that!)

Tips on How to Shop Safely Online

Let’s look at some simple tips for keeping your online shopping as safe as possible:

• Keep your eyes open (just like you do at an ATM) and if anything appears suspicious or smells even vaguely like a scam, don’t use it.
• Make sure that you have the latest version of browser with the most advanced encryption capabilities to help protect information as it is being transmitted via the internet.
• Only deal with sites which are secure (look for the padlock icon on your browser bar).
• If there is an “s” added to the http bit of the website URL, ie it reads https. etc, this indicates that a secure server is being used.
• Don’t submit any personal info to a site until you’ve read their privacy policy and are happy with it. If not, take your business elsewhere.
• Never provide any extra information, social security number, bank account number etc unless you are absolutely sure who you are giving it to and why it is needed.
• Credit cards are safer for internet purchases than debit cards. They have more protection against being used for fraudulent activity.
• Keep a check on your bank statements, if you have online banking then check every day or so, at least go through your statement every month with a fine tooth comb and make sure that there haven’t been any payments made which you didn’t authorize.
• Make sure that your computer has all of the latest spyware, fire wall and anti-virus software to keep it safe.
• Many alternative methods of payment are now offered, one example which springs to mind is Paypal, which does offer a secure payment method without disclosing any bank details at all. This (and many others like it) are available on an increasing number of sites – using them is another alternative to how you can shop safely online.