Essential Tips for Safe and Secure Online Shopping

Staying vigilant during online shopping is crucial to avoid scams. In 2022, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received reports from nearly 12,000 victims of non-payment or non-delivery scams, resulting in losses exceeding $73 million. However, you can protect yourself by following these guidelines for safer online shopping:

1. Shop on Reputable Websites Avoid unknown sites and stick to popular ones like Amazon or major retail stores such as Target, Best Buy, or Home Depot. Watch out for misspellings and unfamiliar domain extensions (.net instead of .com).
2. Check for Secure Connections Ensure the site has a lock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating SSL encryption. URLs should start with “https://,” which signifies a secure connection.
3. Research the Seller Verify the legitimacy of the seller through the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google reviews. Ensure they have a physical address and working phone number. Be cautious of overly positive reviews that may be fake.
4. Protect Your Personal Information Only provide essential information required for the purchase. Avoid sharing your birthday, middle name, Social Security number, or other unnecessary personal details.
5. Use Credit Cards Instead of Debit Cards Credit cards offer better fraud protection compared to debit cards. Some banks provide disposable credit card numbers for safer transactions. Regularly review your account statements for any unauthorized charges.
6. Utilize Mobile Payment Apps in Stores Using apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay adds an extra layer of security through device authentication, reducing the risk of card skimming.
7. Be Cautious with Gift Card Exchanges Purchase gift cards directly from the source to avoid scams. If using gift card exchange services, ensure they have a solid guarantee policy.
8. Stay Secure on Public Wi-Fi When shopping on public Wi-Fi, use known networks and consider using a virtual private network (VPN) for added security.
9. Install Security Apps Use a password manager for creating and storing strong passwords. Regularly update your antivirus software to protect against malware and phishing attacks.

By adhering to these tips, you can shop online with confidence and minimize the risk of falling victim to scams.

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