How to Shop Online Safely: Your Ultimate Guide

Over 1.8 billion people use the Internet to purchase goods online. Choosing to shop online is convenient and makes comparing prices and finding deals a breeze. It’s pretty fantastic to be able to find the best prices and make purchases while you’re vegging out on the sofa in your pajamas.

If you’re unsure about how to shop online, let us help. Keep reading to find our top tips for making sure you’re data is safe.

Know Where to Online Shop

Online stores are not all created equal. Some are much more secure than others. So before you spend a cent on any website, please do your due diligence in ensuring they’re a safe company.

New fake shopping sites pop up every day and make knowing how to shop online safely tricky. Do a Google search of the company and read online reviews before inputting any credit card information. Websites like Joma Shop that have been around for decades and are very trustworthy.

Be Realistic

If the sales on the sites you’re shopping on seem too good to be true, they probably are.

If you’ve found a great deal on a high-end laptop on a website you’ve never heard of before, chances are it’s a scam. High-quality products are expensive for a reason. If an online retailer is claiming to carry something at less than half the price of other stores, steer clear.

Use several different websites to find the average price of the product you’re hoping to buy. Unfortunately, sites with very low prices often exist only to steal your personal information.

Ensure the Website is Secure

There are two things to look for before you click “Checkout” on any website.

Look at the URL box on your browser right now. If there’s a little lock symbol, the site you’re browsing has privacy protection installed.

Now, look at the URL itself. Does it start with “https?”

If you answered yes to the above two questions, you could feel secure shopping with this website. The site will mask and transfer any data that you share with it, ensuring your information is safe.

Steer Clear of Public Wi-Fi

Save your online purchases for when you’re on a secure internet connection. For example, don’t use your favorite coffee shop’s Wi-Fi to shop online. Sometimes public networks are unsecured, making any information you share accessible to scammers.

Check Your Bank Statements

Use your bank’s online banking system to check your e-statements often. You’ll notice any fraudulent activity faster if you’re consistent with these checks.

Checking your statements often will also allow you to stay on top of your spending. We recommend logging into your online banking at least once per week to monitor your accounts.

Protect Yourself While You Shop Online

With our helpful tips in your pocket, you’ll be able to shop online without any worries.

Do you have any great tips for shopping online? Leave a comment below to share your ideas with others.

Keep reading our blog to find more tips on managing your finances.


Oscar Rojas
Oscar Rojas

I'm primarily a dad and a husband, then I live. I've been a freelance writer and editor since 2014, specializing in finance, casino, sports, and esports niches. I'm an expert in checking the small print on any T&C site. You can trust me as an expert, especially when it comes to financing and gambling products.

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