Top Seven Safety Tips For Shopping Online
Everyone loves a bit of online shopping from time to time – and these days, with stores closed, Christmas around the corner, and the annual extravaganza of Cyber Monday on the horizon, we’re all going to be hitting the virtual tills like never before!
Indeed, Virgin Media’s own Red Friday offers might well tempt you to grab an early Xmas pressie – but any time you’re splashing the cash, you’ll want to know you’re doing it safely. With that in mind, we’ve pulled together some valuable tips that can help you stay safe while getting your shop on; read on before hitting the internet high street!
KNOW WHO YOU’RE BUYING FROM
There are thousands of places to shop online, and many of those will themselves include loads of different sellers; when you’re buying, make sure both pass muster. Research e-tailers carefully, and if you’re dealing with an individual then ensure they are a trusted seller. Also, look out for fake websites or other attempts at fraud; double check your spelling, look out for any oddities, and check for a padlock on your address bar to signify a secure site. The difference between a .com and a .con isn’t always easy to spot!
READ THE SMALL PRINT
OK, so a 50-inch TV is the same size however you split it, but a ‘Large Christmas Ornament’ could be anything from 8” to 8’ – and if you’re not sure which one of those means feet or inches, all the more reason to be sharp to this one! Product descriptions are often tricky to spot, along with loads of other important information, so make sure you make the effort to know exactly what you’re getting. Don’t simply trust a photo; from “such-and-such not included” to “colours may vary”, you could easily end up making a costly mistake. Speaking of which...
KNOW THE RETURNS POLICY
From ill-fitting shoes and incompatible tech to cushion covers that don’t match your couch quite as you’d expected, there’s loads of reasons why your new purchase might work out. So...now what? Well, that’s why it’s important to know the situation before you buy – otherwise you’ll be living beneath a mountain of regrettable decisions before you know it! What’s more, an unusual (or even non-existent) returns policy is a sure-fire red flag; every e-tailer worth their salt knows the game, so if it’s missing then something’s wrong!
USE YOUR HEAD
To put our (limited) Latin to use; caveat emptor. No matter how careful you are on all of the above, it’s not impossible to fall for a trick, so trust your judgement. If a deal looks too good to be true, then it probably is. If the rarest item in the world seems to be in plentiful supply in some unusual store, there’s a good chance you’re being had. If you’re told you’re the “one millionth customer” and therefore winning a jackpot – well, be sensible; you’re almost definitely not. The oldest tricks in the book are still pulled out for good reason; don’t let yourself be the reason why!
MIND YOUR INFORMATION
Setting secure passwords is a must in just about any aspect of online life; that’s especially true if an online account is linked to your financial details. On the matter of details, let’s be 100% clear: no website needs to know your PPS number to sell you a hat. Be cautious with any information you share, from the obvious (like bank details) to the not-so-obvious (they don’t need your mother’s maiden name). Remember that even if you’re dealing with the most trustworthy retailers, breaches aren’t unheard of, so err on the side of caution and don’t pass over anything more than absolutely necessary. Including...
CHOOSE SECURE PAYMENT OPTIONS
Using a credit card to shop online became a golden rule for good reason; while access to your debit card would give ne’er-do-wells free rein on your account, you have far more protection when it comes to unauthorised credit card payments. Even better, options like Revolut and PayPal create complete separation – so that if worst comes to worst, you won’t land in massive trouble. Be vigilant, and check your statements to make sure everything is as it should be, and contact your bank immediately if there’s any problem.
PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER AND WIFI
All that hard work could be undone if you’ve overlooked the key requirement of looking after your computer and connection. Make sure your software and malware are up to date and running well, and only shop on secure connections. Avoid shopping in public, too – all the computer programmes in the world won’t save you if the bus passengers in the row behind you get to see you enter your card details!
Don’t stop at online shopping; from anti-virus protection to parental control, find out more to keep your family safe online <a href="https://www.virginmedia.ie/customer-support/support-by-products/broadband/online-security-safety/">right here</a>.
