It seems like every day there’s a new story about someone falling victim to an online shopping scam. Whether it’s a phishing email purporting to be from a well-known retailer or a fake website that looks identical to a legitimate one, scammers are getting more and more sophisticated.
And with the holiday shopping season in full swing, it’s important to be extra vigilant about where you’re spending your hard-earned money. Here are a few tips to help you avoid getting scammed when shopping online:
Do your research
Before making a purchase from a new or unfamiliar website, take some time to do your research. A quick Google search can reveal customer reviews and complaints that can give you a good idea of whether or not a website is legitimate.
You can also check the website’s contact information to see if it’s real. A fake website is likely to have fake or no contact information, so if you can’t find an email address or phone number, be suspicious.
Beware of too-good-to-be-true deals
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often use fake websites or phishing emails to advertise incredible deals in an effort to get people to enter their personal and financial information.
So, if you see an offer that’s too good to pass up, do your research to make sure it’s legitimate before you click any links or enter any information.
Pay with a credit card
When shopping online, it’s always best to pay with a credit card. This is because credit cards offer protections that other payment methods, like debit cards, do not.
For example, if you make a purchase with a debit card and the merchant doesn’t deliver the goods or services as promised, you may have a difficult time getting your money back. But if you pay with a credit card, you can dispute the charges with your credit card company and they will help you get your money back.
Keep your personal information safe
When shopping online, be sure to only enter your personal and financial information on secure websites. You can tell if a website is secure if the URL starts with “https†and there is a lock icon next to the URL.
Also, be sure to create strong passwords for all your online accounts and never use the same password for more than one account.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from becoming a victim of an online shopping scam.
