Tips For Staying Safe When Shopping Online

     Many internet users get scam when they buy things online. One of those reason is that they are too easy to believe those scammer. Actually there are many ways we can do to avoid being scams when shopping online. First of all,  we should protect our computer. We should always have our computer have the most recent updates installed for spam filters, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software and a secure firewall. Secondly, we should shop on trustworthy websites. Shoppers should start to check on the seller’s reputation and record for customer satisfaction. Always look for widely-recognized “trustmarks” on  retailer websites and click on the seals to confirm that they are valid.


     Thirdly, we should protect our personal information.  We recommends taking the time to read the site’s privacy policy and understand what personal information is being requested and how it will be used. If there isn’t one posted, it should be taken as a red flag that personal information may be sold to others without permission. Apart from that, we should also beware of deals that sound too good to be true. Offers on websites and in unsolicited e-mails can often sound too good to be true, especially extremely low prices on hard-to-get items. Consumers should always go with their instincts and not be afraid to pass up a “deal” that might cost them dearly in the end.


     Besides that, we should beware of phishing website.Legitimate businesses do not send e-mails claiming problems with an order or an account to lure the “buyer” into revealing financial information. If a consumer receives such an e-mail, BBB recommends picking up the phone and calling the contact number on the website where the purchase was made to confirm that there really is a problem with the transaction. We should also confirm that our online purchase are safe. Shoppers should always look in the address box for the “s” in https:// and in the lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol before paying. If there are any doubts about a site, we recommends right-clicking anywhere on the page and select “Properties.” This will let you see the real URL (website address) and the dialog box will reveal if the site is not encrypted.


     Moreover, we should keep documentation of our order. After completing the online order process, there may be a final confirmation page or the shopper might receive confirmation by e-mail. We recommends saving a copy of the Web page and any e-mails for future reference and as a record of the purchase. Lastly, we must check our credit card statement often. We shouldn't always wait for paper statements. We recommends consumers check their credit card statements for suspicious activity by either calling credit card companies or by checking statements online regularly.


Sources:
http://www.bbb.org/us/article/top-ten-cyber-monday-tips-for-staying-safe-when-shopping-online-23416