Through the years, online shopping has become the go-to, but so has the scams increased. People prefer to boycott the stress associated with going out of the house. Rather they opt for lounging in their comfort while making selections over the phone. Undoubtedly, online shopping has its perks. One can visit multiple sites comparing prices without breaking a sweat. Just like traditional shopping, the bargaining is also top-notch. However, fraudsters have observed this trend and are using it against shoppers.
Spotting and Escaping Online Shopping Scams
Online shopping scams can be heartbreaking. Imagine anticipating the arrival of a product and then it fails to show up. The heartbreaking part is not the intercepted order, but the fact that money was spent. While scammers online may target shopping platforms, the onus lies on the shoppers to be extra careful. In order not to fall into the wrong hand, practice these key steps:
Online Shopping Scams Is Difficult on Secured Sites
Even though shopping is mainly for convenience, take extra time to be cautious. When placing an order, investigate the connection. It’s risky connecting to any WiFi for free Internet service when shopping. This can give hackers easy access to private financial details. If there is a dire need to shop on wireless connection ensure its security. Apart from this, secure the computer by switching on the firewall.
This would make it tedious for the software to be corrupted. Note that once personal financial details are accessed, the account is compromised. This means that funds in that account can be pulled out. Additionally, ensure that the website starts with “HTTPS:,” not “HTTP:” The ‘s’ indicates that the site is secure. If the site is asking for more details than necessary, you should be alert. Also, look out for phishing links that may be sent to your mail once you visit the site.
Be Familiar With The Seller
Incredibly low rates could be an indicator of online shopping scams. Study the seller’s page. Check out the ratings and reviews. Sometimes reviews could be fake. So, check out the store’s credibility and reviews. The only reason to trust an online source is to confirm its authenticity. It makes it better when the business has a physical or walk-in store. In case of any issues, a shopper can report to the physical store.
Sometimes, scammers may clone a genuine business page that has a store address. So before placing an order, be sure to ask strategic questions and be on the lookout for fraudulent activities. Do not be in haste to place an order. Impatience also contributes to getting scammed. Most scam deals or offers are too good to be true with incredibly low prices. Be cautious about such deals.
Always Click on The T&C
Shopping online for gift cards is plagued with scams. In case the gift cards are for someone else, confirm the legitimacy of the stores. This would mean going through the terms and conditions so that in future the gift card owner is able to access the product. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the shipping terms of the business.
Most times, bargains go south due to exorbitant shipping charges. To avoid such a situation, ask the necessary questions like tracking process, shipping duration, insurance, etc. You can also enquire about the carriers or logistic firms involved.
Pay Attention To Passwords
Some sites do not require their buyers to create an account before use. In this case, it is not necessary to sign in, especially if the purchase is a one time thing. However, for frequent use of a website, passwords and an account may be required. If so, don’t hesitate to create a strong and unique password. In case it will be difficult to remember write it down, instead of saving it on the site.
Final Note
Outsmarting online shopping scams is in a person’s best interest. Avoiding getting scammed may seem like a lot of steps to follow, but it is worth it. To avoid going through the rigors, establish a relationship with sites that turn out to be genuine. Also, do not shop on multiple websites in search of low rates. This can make a person’s computer become vulnerable to fraudsters.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
