Back in the not-too-distant past, people in search of gifts were required to shower, dress and brave cold winds and irritated fellow shoppers to choose holiday gifts. Fervent deal seekers impatiently awaited store openings on Festival days and days immediately after to avail discounts like idling engines awaiting ignition.
Children flipped through toy store catalogs like doe-eyed automatons, leaving them conspicuously open to certain pages in the hope that the catalogue would somehow accompany their parents to the mall. It was a nasty, brutish time. Uncertainty reigned. The colors or size for the ethnic wear might be limited.
Like most paradigm shifts, the advent of online shopping brought changes to the status quo. In stores, one need only keep vigilant guard of one's wallet to ensure its security; not so online. It's exponentially easier to assert one's will over temporary seasonal help when returning an item in stores. Again, this is not so online.
When shopping online, plastic is the preferred method of payment. However, you must remember that your credit card number is static. It doesn't change unless you close and reopen an account, and once your credit card information is online, it can be compromised if it falls into the wrong hands.
Fraudsters are constantly looking to take advantage of online shoppers prone to making novice errors. Common mistakes that leave people vulnerable include shopping on websites that aren't secure, giving out too much personal information, and leaving computers open to viruses.
Here are 10 useful tips for online shopping:
- Stay away from fishy-looking sites. You can't always tell when a website isn't legitimate, but red flags include poor design, a strange or nonsensical Web address, and multiple pop-up windows you can't close. If you notice any of these suspicious signs, stop shopping and close your browser windows.
- Avoid clicking on hyperlinks embedded in emails. If an email, even one that claims to be from a familiar retailer, asks you to visit an outside site, don't do it -- it could be redirecting you to a scam site.
- Shop on secure websites only. It is suggested to look for "https" instead of just "http" in the address bar. Also, be sure your computer's anti-virus software is up to date, since you may come across viruses when surfing online for deals and good buys.
- Never, ever give your Social Security number to anyone online. If a site asks for it during the checkout process, it's probably a scam site.
- Take advantage of the automatic identity-theft protection that comes with many credit cards. That's one reason to use your credit card instead of debit cards or cash while shopping. If you see erroneous charges on your statement, you can call your credit card company, which should investigate on your behalf.
- Check your credit card statements frequently (don't wait until you get your monthly bill); many card companies have time limits for disputing charges.
- Change up your passwords. With consumers asked to remember dozens of passwords for various retailers, banks and accounts, it's almost impossible to remember them all, especially since they often include mixes of numbers and letters. Don't stick with simple passwords that are easy to guess.
- Review your rights. If products aren't shipping on time, consumers have the right to cancel the order and get a refund. They can also reject merchandise they deem defective or misrepresented.
- Wield that cell phone carefully. Mobile shopping or public Wi-Fi access is convenient, but it can leave your personal information accessible to hackers, so avoid entering passwords and credit card numbers while in public hotspots.
- Avoid strangers on social media. Although many retailers use social media to drum up business, sometimes their accounts get hacked and you're sent a dangerous message or tweet designed to look legitimate. Fraudsters also send malicious messages through social networks.
- Don't click on fake e-cards. E-greetings are welcomed by most people fake cards can spread viruses. It recommends that consumers delete cards that come from unfamiliar addresses.
Hope these tips help you shop better and safer.
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