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A Sharp Eye Can Protect Your Data & Save Money
Fast, easy, and filled with seemingly endless possibilities, online shopping can be a holiday go-to that’s not only productive but often fun. A little care and thoughtful caution, though, can make the experience even better.
Check Reviews
Before you buy anything, read about not only the product, but also the seller. Look at reviews on multiple sites, not just 1. Also, don’t depend solely on star ratings. Bad companies sometimes write fake positive reviews. Meanwhile, competitors might write fake bad reviews.
Also, search for the company name plus words like “complaint” or “scam.” Then, look for expert reviews from websites you trust. These give you better information than random customer reviews.
Compare & Read The Fine Print
Don’t buy the first thing you see. Write down details like the model number, size and color. Then compare prices on several websites. Know the total cost, including shipping and taxes, before hitting the buy button.
Remember, words like “refurbished” or “vintage” mean the item might not be perfect. Or seemingly expensive brand-name items that cost very little might be fake or stolen.
Understanding Shipping & Return Policies
Before you buy, verify the shipping and return rules. Sellers must ship within 30 days unless they promise a different time frame, and many websites let you track your package.
Then, consider if you get your money back with a return. Who pays for return shipping? How long do you have? Sale items often have different return rules, so check twice.
Pay With a Credit Card
Credit cards provide protection for your online shopping. If something goes wrong, your credit card company can help you dispute the charge. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps, or cryptocurrency. Scammers love these payment methods because it’s hard to get your money back.
When you enter your credit card info, make sure the website address starts with “https.” That “s” at the end means it’s secure. However, scam websites can also be secure, so still take care.
Keep Records & Protect Your Information
Save all your shopping information. Keep the company name, what you bought, when you bought it and how much you paid. Save emails and messages from the seller, too. Keep your credit card statements that show the payment.
Be careful about what personal information you share. Websites and apps collect lots of data about you and might sell it to other companies. Check their privacy policy to see how they use your information. Turn off location tracking if you don’t want apps to know where you are.
If you have problems with an online purchase, try to work it out with the seller first. If that doesn’t work, you can report the problem to the Federal Trade Commission on the Report Fraud page.
Happy and safe shopping!