Online shopping feels convenient to everyone. It has become second nature for many of us. But what if your latest purchase also came with a side of fraud?
Every purchase may not be as private as you think. Have you ever wondered if someone might be watching your transactions? In fact, a 2023 F-Secure report revealed that one in four online shoppers has fallen victim to an online scam.
No matter how convenient online shopping is, it comes with risks.
The good news? You can still enjoy the benefits of online shopping with a few smart habits. Read further to learn about the risks involved and how you can safeguard yourself from them.
The risks behind online convenience
Hackers are constantly changing their tactics. Here are some of the most common threats online shoppers face today:
Phishing scams: Fake emails or messages that you think are coming from a trusted retailer usually have a phishing link. When a user clicks on these links, hackers steal their credentials or payment information.
Fake websites: E-commerce stores that look legitimate, but are often designed to scam people for their money or personal data.
Insecure payment gateways: Checkout portals without secure encryption act as a bridge for hackers to easily intercept your details.
Now that you’re aware of the risks, it’s time we discovered the signs of online shopping fraud in the next section.
Signs of online shopping scams
Fraudulent e-commerce websites are often designed to look identical to the trusted ones. Scammers copy everything, from logos to product images, to trick people. But with a careful eye, you can spot the red flags.
- Suspicious URLs: Fake websites may have similar domain names with slight misspellings, such as “Amozon” instead of “Amazon,” or an unusual domain ending.
- Missing HTTPS: A legit website always has “https://” at the beginning, as its traffic is secured/encrypted.
- No contact information: Fake ones mostly lack or have fake information on the contact page.
- Unrealistic offers: Product prices that look “too good to be true” often list items at just a dollar. So, if you see an 80% discount on a designer bag, you will unavoidably get a counterfeit or be scammed.
- Unconventional ways of transaction: No trusted retailer will ask you to transfer money via PayPal. This is also the easiest way for scammers to get away with their crime, as it’s nearly impossible to trace.
3 ways to protect yourself from scammers online
The mischievous ways hackers hide their tricks might sound overwhelming to a few. Yet, there are ways you can protect yourself online. First, be cautious and look for the signs mentioned above, then reinforce your security with the following:
- Avoid public Wi-Fi for payments: Hackers love targeting people who shop on free Wi-Fi in cafés, airports, or hotels. If you must use public Wi-Fi, you can use a VPN to access those websites. It will help encrypt your connection and keep your transaction private.
- Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Using a strong password and enabling two-factor authentication can make it harder for hackers to access your accounts.
- Keep track of your personal data: Even if you are careful, massive data breaches can expose your personal information. Often, you won’t even realize it happened. Cybercriminals use this personal information to open credit accounts or make fraudulent purchases. Identity theft protection services can help by spotting data breaches early. It also helps you fix the damage.
The takeaway
Online shopping is part of modern life. It is here to stay, and you should feel safe and not stressed. We can protect ourselves by adopting smart habits. You can double-check websites, be cautious with offers, learn about new tools (for example what is VPN) and use them for extra protection and peace of mind.
A little caution goes a long way in keeping your online shopping experience safe and stress-free.
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