We all love the convenience and ease of online shopping, but unfortunately it comes with risks. Even with evolving security measures, scammers are consistently using new tactics and technology to deceitfully steal your personal information and money. Below are a few tips to keep your online transactions secure and make your online shopping experience a good one!

Be aware of fake online shops: Make sure the shop you are buying from is legitimate. Look for customer reviews, contact information and a return policy. Blurry photos, strange syntax, and a lack of information about the company are usually red flags.

Don’t save your credit card information: It does save a lot of time but storing your payment information on a website can make you a prime target. It’s worth the extra steps to protect your financial information and just re-enter your credit card number the next time you shop on a site.

Look for luxury dupes: Most of the time, if a deal looks too good to be true – it is. Use online shops that offer authentication checks or are well-established e-commerce sites. Many sites may promise designer items, only to send cheap look-a-likes or nothing at all.

Be wary about extra requested information: Be suspicious of any online shop that asks you for information that seems outside of the norm, like your social security number or occupation. Those should be strong indicators that they are looking for more than just selling you a product.

Use a secure method of payment: Always use a protected method of payment, such as a credit card or PayPal. Avoid using wire transfers, gift cards or even debit cards. Such payments are difficult to recover or trace.

It’s important to stay on top of scam tactics and to educate yourself on how to be vigilant when shopping online. Our blog is a great resource to help you find tips and updates on how to safeguard your personal and financial information.