{"id":352507,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:01","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/how-do-i-shop-safely-online.html"},"modified":"2024-02-27T13:42:14","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T18:42:14","slug":"how-do-i-shop-safely-online","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/consumer\/consumer-transactions\/how-do-i-shop-safely-online.html","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Safe Online Shopping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tips for Safe Online Shopping<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Hannah Hilst<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Safe online shopping means taking precautions to avoid scams and protect personal information. Stick with trusted companies, verify website URLs, and be wary of reviews and flashy sites. Use secure connections like VPNs and ensure sites have SSL encryption. Pay with credit cards for better fraud protection and consider virtual cards or secure payment services. Protect account details with strong passwords and read privacy policies. Regularly check transaction activities and be cautious with tracking links to prevent phishing attempts.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Online purchases have become as routine as shopping in brick-and-mortar retail stores, but online shopping has a reputation for scams and other downsides. You can shop online safely by taking a few impactful precautions before you start checkout.<\/p>\n

Some of the risks involved with online shopping also are present in the physical world. For example, a store cashier might secretly copy and use your credit card number. In the digital world, a hacker could steal your credit card information from an online retailer’s server.<\/p>\n

This article offers strategies to avoid common shopping problems<\/a> online. Pair these tips with a good defense against identity theft<\/a>, and you’ll have a recipe for a smooth shopping experience.<\/p>\n

Stick With Trusted Companies<\/h2>\n

Most people have a few favorite physical stores they trust. You might not think twice about shopping at a large chain retailer, grocery store, or a local ma-and-pa shop. If other people in town shop there, you may assume it’s safe.<\/p>\n

Online stores are more unreliable. The internet gives small vendors in all corners of the world a chance to thrive, but not all sellers are genuine.<\/p>\n

Bad actors can set up a seemingly legitimate shopping site, sell imaginary products, and take the website down the following week. If this is the first time you have heard of a particular online seller, thoroughly research it before giving away any information.<\/p>\n

Be Skeptical of Online Store Reviews<\/h2>\n

Some internet retailers plaster their websites with five-star rave reviews. Don’t let store or product reviews trick you into a false sense of security. Customer reviews can be helpful, but remember that testimonials aren’t always genuine.<\/p>\n

Some online retailers tamper with the reviews they show. They might delete any negative reviews, such as those with ratings lower than three stars, or post fake positive comments and ratings. Even mobile device app stores may be rife with phony reviews.<\/p>\n

Search the internet for independent reviews instead. Discussion forums can give you clues about the seller’s reliability. You can check out reviews of online shops at the Better Business Bureau<\/a> (BBB). It is illegal for a seller to post a fake review on the BBB website, and the BBB monitors reviews to catch as many fraud cases as possible.<\/p>\n

Avoid Fake Ecommerce Websites<\/h2>\n

Spoofing scams <\/a>involve creating a fake website that looks just like a legitimate one but has a different web address. The goal of such scams is to give users the false sense that they are having a safe online shopping experience.<\/p>\n

Double-check the URL in your browser’s address bar or hover over a link to see the URL before you click it. Confirm it’s the real website before purchasing, sharing, or downloading anything.<\/p>\n

Often, scammers will send a link to the fake site via email or social media in hopes that a few people will unwittingly try to buy something or share sensitive data. They can also post a phony URL that will be very similar to the real one to attract people who mistype the web address.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, a fraudulent vendor will try to get your attention by creating the loudest, flashiest site possible. Look for misspellings, the use of all capital letters, excessive dollar signs and exclamation points, or email messages with the same over-the-top elements.<\/p>\n

Use a Secure Internet Connection<\/h2>\n

When you check out, ensure your connection is secure<\/a>. A secure connection involves more than having full Wi-Fi or cell service.<\/p>\n

Cybercriminals are notorious for targeting public Wi-Fi networks, which are more likely to have weak cybersecurity protection. You may want to buy something online while you’re at a coffee shop or hotel. Consider connecting to public hotspots via a virtual private network (VPN), which can hide your connection from fraudsters.<\/p>\n

Shopping might not seem like a high-security activity, but a website with low internet security can risk your accounts and information. If you don’t see the little closed padlock symbol in your browser, you may not be engaging in safe online shopping. The padlock conveys that the site uses a secure sockets layer (SSL), a form of encryption that keeps your checkout data safer.<\/p>\n

You can also check that the URL starts with \u201chttps” instead of the more basic \u201chttp.” This check alone doesn’t guarantee a shopping website is safe, but it can be an extra clue as you assess a seller.<\/p>\n

Watch for Scammers’ Favorite Phrases<\/h2>\n

Safe online shopping is a battle against many forms of fraud. The following phrases should raise red flags that the online vendor is potentially involved in shady behavior:<\/p>\n