Almost everyone has made a purchase online at some point. It’s a great way to get what you need without leaving the comfort of your home. However, it’s essential to be aware of the dangers of online shopping. There are many scams out there, and it can be difficult to tell which ones are legitimate and which ones aren’t. This blog post will discuss tips for avoiding online shopping scams and keeping your information safe.

Only Shop on Sites You Trust

To decide if a website is trustworthy, you should consider the following:

• Website URL: The web address is one of the most important things to look for when buying something online. The web address should start with ‘HTTPS.’ This means that the website is secure, and all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted.
• Website appearance: Take a close look at the website. Does it look professional? Is there correct grammar and spelling throughout the site?
• Contact information: A legitimate website will list their contact information somewhere on the site. This should include a phone number, email address, and mailing address.
• Secure payment: When you’re ready to checkout, only use secure payment options. This means paying with a credit or debit card or using a secure payment processor like PayPal.

Check Out as a Guest

If you are concerned about the security of your personal information, know that consumers who don’t create accounts with businesses have less to worry about their personal information being exposed in the event of a data breach.

Use Automatic Alerts to Keep Track of your Accounts.

You can set up credit and debit card alerts to protect your money. This way, you will be notified if something unusual happens. For example, you can choose to get text messages or emails when there is a transaction that is different from the usual amount or location. You can learn more about Central Bank’s account and card alerts by checking out their automated alerts for a personal account and card notifications through Online Banking.

Avoid Using Debit Card

Your Debit Card is linked directly to your checking account. This means that if you use your Debit Card for online shopping and there is a problem with the transaction, the money could be taken out of your account immediately. Credit Cards are a better option for online shopping because you can dispute charges if there is a problem with the transaction.

Create a Unique Password For Each Of Your Online Accounts.

If you use the same password for every account, a hacker only needs to figure out that one password to access all of your accounts. This is why it’s essential to have different passwords for each account. You can learn more about creating strong passwords and keeping track of them in Central Bank’s How to Create a Strong Password and What to Do If You Forget It infographic.

We hope you found these tips helpful. For more information on how to avoid online shopping scams, you can visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website.