Online buying is an easy and fun manner to purchase and
access a large range of items and services. It is also a suitable method to
compare values from different websites to get the finest deals without having
to work. So, it is not surprising that online buying has get fame in recent
years due to its convenience, cost and variety. Online shopping websites often
also give the top deals since they may not have the phenomenal overhead that a
physical shopping store could have in a store or mall.
However, with online buying so popular and widespread these
days, people frequently let their guard down and ignore secure online
purchasing practices. This is especially true in peak shopping periods such as
Christmas and other holidays, which are opportune times for cybercriminals to
attack. So how can online shoppers buy safely to avoid an online buying
incident?
Here are some tips
for making secure purchases online.
Buy At Online Shopping Sites That
Offer Secure Transactions
One method is to seek out online shopping websites or stores
with a graphic of a padlock at the bottom of the screen, which denotes a safe
gateway.
Be Careful Of Phishing Frauds
Keep away from sending private information such as your bank
details or credit card number by email. Also take care your security software
and firewalls are updated on a regular basis
Change Your PIN Or Password Regularly
For High-Risk Activities On The Internet
Changing your password regularly provides protection in case
someone discovers your password. This is especially important if you are using
shared computers. Avoid allowing others to access your account, especially if
you have email messages that contain passwords you just reset.
Verify That Your Credit Card Offers
Adequate Protection
Credit cards usually offer shopper protection against scam,
broken goods, lost shipments, and other problems. However, if you are not sure
if your credit card offers all these protections, contact your credit card
provider to verify.
Make Sure You Know What You Are
Buying
Ask questions when in doubt. Good online stores generally
provide a reasonable description of the item. However, if you have questions
about any aspect of the item, contact the merchant to request it before purchase.
The correct operators will get in touch with you in a timely manner. If they do
not answer, it is suitable not to make a buy, as this show a lack of service
and response in case of a problem. It is also generally less complicated not to
buy something you have doubts in the first place than to try to return an item.
Discover All Shipping Information,
Delivery Times, And Costs Before Committing To Purchase
Always calculate the total cost of the item, INCLUDING
shipping costs before committing to buy. Many accredited sites will have
shipping charges in a section of your website. However, some online merchants
may advertise an item at a very low price, but recover their costs through
shipping costs.
Delivery times may vary from store to store. Shipping times
depend on internal processing and storage in the warehouse. Check how long it
will take to deliver the products from the moment you place the order. This
will help you avoid disappointment and reduce panic if the products do not
arrive as expected
Delivery times may also be affected by the shipping method
used by the store or the method by which you pay (if the store offers different
methods, see below). Discover the cost and delivery times for each delivery
method offered. If this information is not on the site, contact the merchant to
request it. In general, the cheaper a shipping method is, the safer and longer
it is. Also, clearly understand who is responsible for insuring goods in
transit. This will prevent a misunderstanding if the goods are lost or damaged
during transport.
Register All Contacts With The
Merchant
This means registering all correspondence with the merchant
and recording phone calls, including the date, time and with whom you spoke.
Record all important exchanges between you and the merchant.
Check The Shipping Address You
Provide Is Valid
It is useful to read the details of your order before
confirming it. Make sure the delivery address you provide is correct, including
spelling and zip code. Deliveries can and have been delayed or lost due to
inaccurate delivery address details.
Verify Your Credit Card Transactions
If you paid for your purchase online with your credit card,
check your credit card transactions to ensure that the products have been
billed at the correct price.
2019-12-24