Online shopping. A fun modern day convenience, or a dangerous experience that scams away your money? Very often true, however, is that it sucks up your time when you are not careful. Personally, I enjoy online shopping very much. I can find everything I want, and also a lot of things that I don’t want – which isn’t as possible at physical shops, where some products are hidden from view. The accessibility of online shopping sparks my intrigue towards a variety of new encounters with technology, fashion, and more. Recently, I unlocked my road to online shopping by signing up with Paypal, and so far I have yet to be disappointed with the random things I buy.
Here are some tips for staying safe while shopping online:
1// Do researchÂ
Not only should you research your product, but you should also research on the seller. There is a lot of fraud in the online world, what with cheap knockoffs and nonexistent products. Look for popular and well-known sites with lots of positive reviews. Sites encoded with SSL (https://) are secure – safe to shop in.
2// Don’t give all your personal information
It’s safer to use a third party payment system such as Paypal to get the job done. Some information, such as your social security number, isn’t required to buy things online. Be aware of what you are entering into the site.
3// Use common sense
Think before you buy. Stay away from sites that advertise offers extravagant offers and coupons. Some products and prices seem too good to be true, and probably are. Don’t be fooled by a pretty picture – read the reviews or just move on to a more expensive choice. Ask yourself, is it worth the risk?
4// Check your receipts
Make sure you paid for exactly what you bought. Check your account balances for your card if you are worried you may have been scammed. This is a good way to keep track of your money, and stay within your budget.
Stay safe, and happy shopping!
