According to data from Statista on the global share of online shopping scam victims who lost money from 2015-2023, the number of people reporting a monetary loss due to online purchase scams jumped to 82.6—an eight percent increase from the previous year.
If you’re new to e-commerce, it can be difficult to know how to shop safely online without losing your money. And experienced online buyers, staying on top of your game when making a purchase online will help you avoid some of the common threats targeting consumers.
Here are some of the essential tips for safe online shopping in 2024:
- Stick to Websites You Know and Trust
When you’re hunting for the best deal out there, it’s tempting to search everywhere for the lowest price you could get. Unfortunately, scammers know this and try to find ways they can hoodwink and turn you into a potential target for exploitation.
It’s no secret most online buyers have found themselves being led to fake sites with enticing offers only to lose crucial information or money. So, instead of jumping from site to site searching for the best deal, stick with online stores you already know and trust.
Well-known brands or retailers you’ve shopped with before are not only a safer bet, but you can also reach out to them in case you notice something sinister.
- Use Credit Card as opposed to Debit Card for Safer Purchases
You’ve probably been discouraged from using credit cards to make purchases online—and with good reason. If you consider yourself a spendthrift, using credit cards may not be a good idea and you could end up in a huge debt.
However, there are also numerous benefits to shopping with credit cards online that you won’t enjoy when you opt for a debit card. One such benefit is protection against fraud.
If someone steals your card info, you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges. However, with a debit card, if scammers get your info, they can access your actual bank account and steal from you—with the full cost coming back to you.
A credit card will also provide you with a grace period between when you make a purchase and when to pay for it. You won’t enjoy this when shopping online with a debit card.
- Watch Out for Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are one of the most common tricks used by fraudsters. These scams often show up as emails that promise things like huge discounts or amazing prizes with the goal to trick you into giving up your personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers.
While some legit shopping sites may communicate with you by email, it’s not often that they send you a link requesting an update for your payment information. So, be extra cautious during big shopping seasons like Black Friday, especially on social media platforms.
This is often the time scammers target deal-seekers with fake links to shady websites.
- Be Careful About Giving Too Much Information
Online stores don’t need to know everything about you— all they really need is your payment information and a mailing address. For example, you don’t need to provide information such as your social security number when buying Delta 10 THC gummies online.
The digital space has been massively infiltrated by scammers and the less personal information you provide, the harder it is for others to steal your identity. Even big-name websites can get hacked, so it’s best to give out as little information as possible to protect yourself.
- Beware of Deals That Seem Too Good to Be True
Ever seen a deal that seems almost unbelievable? Maybe it’s a super expensive item listed for a ridiculously low price. While it might be tempting, be careful—if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers use these kinds of offers to lure people into buying products that might never arrive or could be counterfeit.
In some cases, some dishonest online stores might run out-of-stock scams, where they advertise a super cheap item, claim it’s sold out, and then try to push a more expensive product on you. This is a common trick known as “bait and switch,” and it’s another reason to be cautious about deals that seem way too good.
Final Thoughts
Shopping online is incredibly convenient, but it’s important to be cautious. Sticking with trusted websites, being mindful of phishing scams, using credit cards for added security, and avoiding deals that are too good to be true can help keep you safe from fraud. Always be smart about the information you share, and don’t be afraid to walk away from a deal if something feels off.
