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Online shopping is convenient, but it can also be risky. Shopping online means sharing personal information with retailers—and that means you’re at a higher risk for scams, identity theft, and other forms of data theft. To help you shop with more security, here are three safety tips for online shopping.
- Shop With Stores You Know
A good rule of thumb when it comes to online shopping is to stick with well-known retailers. Bigger corporate sellers such as Target, Best Buy and Wayfair tend to have stringent security protocols in place; and if there’s a problem with your purchase, you may have an easier time returning the item.
If you want to support smaller sellers, research and carefully vet their online platform before making a purchase. A reputable seller should have customer reviews and further information explaining how customer data is handled. Be wary of sellers who don’t accept major payment methods and instead operate solely via online or app-based payments—which can’t always be tracked.
No matter what seller you’re shopping with, be way of emails that claim to be from that retailer and ask you to click a link, download a document, or re-share payment information. It could be a phishing attack. When in doubt, go back to the seller’s website and check your order there.
- Pay With Credit Cards, Not Debit
Because a debit card is linked to your bank account, paying with debit online can give scammers direct access to your funds. Instead, pay for online purchases with a credit card. Many credit cards today also give you the option to mask your real credit card information via a virtual card or disposable card numbers. Ask your credit union or bank if you have this service, and they can explain more.
Fraud protection is another benefit of paying with a credit card when shopping online. Most credit cards offer full fraud protection, which means you are not responsible for fraudulent charges. Debit cards typically can’t offer the same level of protection. In either case, if you believe someone is making unauthorized transactions in your name, report it immediately to your card provider.
If an online seller says they prefer payment in cash, a check or a wire transfer, tread carefully. It’s never a good idea to shop online using untraceable payment methods.
- Use Caution on Public Wi-Fi
Online shopping typically requires you to share personal data, such as your address and banking information. Public networks are easier for hackers to gain access to—meaning that when you shop online on a public network, such as at a coffee shop, airport or library, you could be a target for data theft.
The easiest way to avoid a network hack is to save your online shopping for when you’re at home on a private network. Or, browse items in public but wait to pay until you get back home. Another option is to download a Virtual Private Network (VPN), which keeps your browsing data private even when you’re on a public network.
In addition, it’s a good idea to be aware of your surroundings when shopping online in public. Put away your card as soon as you use it, or choose a virtual payment card. Avoid online shopping in a crowded, high-traffic area where it might be possible for passers-by to observe your address or card details.
