With ordering from online retailers becoming so quick and easy, many of us are doing a lot of our Christmas shopping online.
Unfortunately, as the popularity of online shopping has increased so have the risks, with many untrustworthy sellers and sites trying to steal your information and card details.
Staying safe when shopping online:
- Make sure to do your research on online retailers to check that they’re legitimate. Before making a purchase, read reviews to hear what others say about the business.
- Beware of emails, texts or other promotions that may seem ‘off’ or ask you to urgently click on links. If you’re interested in an offer, go directly to the company’s website rather than clicking the link.
- Consider using an online payment platform such as Paypal, Apple Pay or Google Pay to authorise your payments. Using these platforms means the retailer doesn’t see your payment details.
- When it’s time to pay, check there’s a ‘closed padlock’ icon in the browser’s address bar. The padlock icon doesn’t guarantee that the retailer itself is legitimate or secure, but it means the connection is secure. If the padlock icon is not there or the browser says not secure, then never use the site!
- Use different passwords for your email, social media, banking, and shopping accounts. This means if someone hacks into one of your accounts, they can’t use the same password to access all your other accounts.
- Never make a payment over public or unsecure WiFi
- You shouldn’t need to give out your mother’s maiden name or the name of your primary school in order to buy something. There are some obvious details that an online store will need, such as your address and bank details, but be cautious if they ask for details that are not required for your purchase.
- Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. Be sure to always check for unauthorized activity!
Keep safe this shopping season!