Provided by staysafeonline.org
The convenience of making purchases at your fingertips and next-day delivery has caused online shopping to continue to grow. Of course the increased availability of online shopping is convenient, however it also makes it lucrative for scammers to trick buyers into paying for goods they won't receive or obtaining their personal information for financial gain. Being a safe and secure shopper involves taking some security precautions. Here are a few tips:
Conduct research - When using a new website for purchases, read reviews and see if other consumers have had a positive or negative experience with the site.
When in doubt, throw it out - Links in emails, posts and texts are often how cyber criminals try to steal your information or infect your devices.
Personal information is like money; value it and protect it - Be alert to the kinds of information being collected to complete the transaction. Remember you only need to fill out required fields at checkout.
Use safe payment options - Credit cards are generally the safest option because they allow buyers to seek a credit from the issuer if the product isn't delivered or isn't what was ordered.
Don't be disappointed - Read return policies and other website information so you know what to expect if the purchase doesn't go as planned.
Protect your money - When shopping, check to be sure the site is securely enabled. Look for web addresses with https:// indicating extra measures to help secure your information.
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