Essential Online Shopping Safety Tips
Every year, the number of regular online shoppers grows, and with it, the number of scammers. We have compiled a detailed guide to help you protect yourself from unsuccessful purchases and the unpleasant consequences of online shopping.
Find the best prices.
We’ve mentioned many times that prices for the same item can vary (sometimes significantly) across different online stores. There are several reasons for this, ranging from store pricing to different sales start times. Therefore, before purchasing, take the time to check the price of your desired item across different marketplaces, and compare shipping terms and costs—the final price also depends on this factor. You can do this manually, but it’s much more convenient to use an online store aggregator like Lyst. The more detailed your item description in the search bar, the faster you can check the store database.
Don’t miss the size
It’s no secret that there’s no universal size chart: not only does it vary depending on the country of manufacture, but patterns from one brand to another can run large or small. Therefore, firstly, pay attention to the descriptions of items in online stores—the specifications usually indicate the sizing system used: European, American, French, Italian, Japanese, and so on. Secondly, some stores list their measurements in centimeters—this is much more convenient. Finally, don’t experiment with online shopping if you’re unfamiliar with a particular brand’s sizing chart: even if it uses a universal system, no one can guarantee 100% compliance.
Beware of suspiciously low prices.
We’ve already discussed this aspect of online shopping in the context of buying secondhand, but this advice is also relevant in a broader context. Sometimes, in search of the best price, we’re tempted by a downright cheap item, even though we subconsciously know there’s something fishy going on. Remember, on average, the price of the same item can’t differ from the official retailer’s price by more than 15-18% (excluding sales). If you see a store offering a 50% discount at the beginning of a season, it’s most likely a scam.
Avoid dubious online stores.
In addition to major retailers, there are now many less-promoted online stores that sometimes offer better shopping deals. You can verify their authenticity using aggregators like Lyst or the retail platform Farfetch. However, many counterfeit stores cleverly disguise themselves as legitimate ones to steal addresses, passwords, accounts, and even card numbers.
One of the sure signs of a fake is the use of a .net domain instead of a .com or additional words in the name, such as deals, sales, or super discounts. You can verify the site’s authenticity using Google’s Safe Browsing feature, which regularly checks billions of URLs for malicious content. Also, pay attention to the interface—often, the creators of fake online stores don’t bother with high-quality design and comprehensive product descriptions. Carefully review the contact information (an email with a public domain like Gmail or Yahoo is, at the very least, cause for suspicion) and the return policy—if anything bothers you, it’s best to refrain from purchasing.
Set complex passwords
Yes, we know that creating a password is one of the most tedious things in the world, but when it comes to the security of your data, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Ideally, a password should consist of a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, punctuation marks, and other symbols. Don’t use your first and last name, email address, or other publicly available personal information as a password. It’s best to have different passwords for different online platforms—if you forget them, you can reset them via email. It’s not uncommon for online store databases to be “stolen” along with all your data, and if your password works for other important sites, this could lead to problems.
Don’t use websites without an SSL certificate.
You’ve probably noticed that some websites use the HTTP protocol (which appears before the site name after clicking a link), while others use HTTPS. HTTPS is considered more secure because it uses an SSL certificate. This means that information on the site is transmitted encrypted and can only be decrypted with a special key. An SSL certificate is required for any site that uses payment systems, primarily to protect transactions. Just remember: don’t pay for anything on a site that doesn’t use the HTTPS protocol.
For shopping on your phone, use official apps..
If, when you access a store’s website through your smartphone’s browser, the system prompts you to download the official app, this is a good sign—the retailer is trustworthy. Before downloading, check the app’s rating and user reviews—the App Store is also prone to counterfeiting, so it’s best to avoid unfamiliar apps.
Don’t use public Wi-Fi for online shopping.
Experts urge people to avoid online shopping while using a public Wi-Fi network. Such Wi-Fi networks are rarely encrypted, making them quite secure (as your smartphone or laptop always warns you before connecting). This means that virtually anyone can access the information you provide to an online store (including your bank card details); scammers can simply use any network eavesdropping app.
Do not provide all personal information.
An online store doesn’t necessarily require all your personal information to make a purchase, so it’s best to skip any items not marked with an asterisk (*). The more detailed information you provide, along with your bank card details, the more opportunities for fraudsters to deceive you. Speaking of cards, the most they’ll ask for is your CVV/CVC code. No website will require you to enter your card’s PIN. For maximum security, it’s best to use PayPal—most reputable retailers offer this option.
Don’t save your card details in your profile.
While it’s certainly more convenient to save your card details, billing address, and other information in your online store profile settings to make future purchases easier, it’s best not to do this. Instead, use one-time authorization every time you pay for something online. It’s not very convenient, but it’s safer.
