Staying Safe While Shopping Online: Tips to Avoid Scams
Online shopping has become a common practice for many, but with convenience comes the risk of fraud. It's crucial to know how to safeguard your finances and personal information.
To avoid falling victim to scammers when shopping online, follow these simple yet effective rules:
Choose cash on delivery. Scammers often sell non-existent products at attractive prices with the aim of getting advance payments before disappearing.
Check prices across the market. Malicious actors create fake pages of popular stores and offer "exclusive" discounts. If a deal seems too good to be true compared to other sellers, think twice.
Verify links. Do not click on suspicious links from emails, social media, or messaging apps. Scammers create phishing sites that visually mimic real stores. Pay attention to the URL – even a small difference may indicate a fake site. Also, ensure the presence of the secure protocol https at the beginning of the URL.
Do not enter payment information on unfamiliar sites. Before making a payment, check the store's reputation: read reviews, search for information on independent resources. If a platform offers payment upon receipt of goods, take advantage of that option.
Never share your card details with third parties. Your card number, CVV code, and one-time confirmation codes from the bank are keys to your funds. Bank employees never ask for this information.
Use a separate card for online payments. Load it just before making a purchase to minimize the risk of losing money in the event of data compromise.
Ensure that you have 3D Secure enabled. This technology provides an additional layer of verification during online payments. However, the store must support it – if a platform does not require payment confirmation, it might be a red flag.
Avoid making payments over public Wi-Fi networks. Open networks can be compromised, allowing attackers to intercept your confidential data.
Check QR codes in public spaces. Criminals may place QR codes in public areas that lead to fake sites. Always verify the URL after scanning and avoid QR codes from unknown sources.
For additional payment security tips, visit the website of the National Bank.
Stay cautious – and your online shopping will be safe!
Department of Cyber Police of the National Police