Safety Tips For Heavy Online Shopping
Heavy online shopping is defined as making an online purchase at least once every week. On average heavy online shoppers spend 9.9 hours a month shopping online, and spend more time shopping online than at physical stores. This means that there is a higher risk of running into fraudulent websites and scams. Here are five tips to safely shop online for those who make it a past time.
Use a Credit Card to Make Online Purchases
As a heavy online shopper, it is important to protect yourself from fraudulent online stores. If you use a credit card to purchase your items, in the case that you do make a purchase at a site that turns out to be a scam, you will be reimbursed for the purchase. And if you are a victim of credit card fraud the law will protect against credit card company charges. Several credit card companies also give warranties on items you’ve purchased. Using a debit card makes it much more difficult to get your money refunded, and you risk getting all of you money drained before you can sort things out with the bank. When using a credit card just make sure that you don’t spend more money than you actually have. This will result in credit card debt that is extremely hard to get out of. Many people have to resort to payday loans as a way of paying back their credit card debt, which can put them in an endless cycle of repayments and high-interest rates. You most definitely do not want to go down that road.
Use Smart Passwords
Most online stores require a password to make a purchase. Make sure your password is hard to guess and complicated, with a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers. This will ensure that no one hacks into your shopping accounts. It is also a good idea to use different passwords for each online store you use, even if it’s an extensive list.
Make Sure All of Your Online Shopping is Secure
When you do the majority of your shopping online it can be easy to forget to check that the site you’re using is secure. Always make sure the online stores your shopping at have a security seal, which indicates that it has been verified as protected by a third party.
Always Read the Fine Print
Before confirming your online purchases, read over the retailer’s refund and return policy. Companies do not have to refund items or exchange them for store credit; this means that you can get stuck with unwanted purchases if you’re not careful. Also take the time to review purchase warranties and read any information given about restrictions or conditions of your product.
Keep Good Records
When purchases are being delivered to your doorstep by the dozens, it can be hard to keep track of it all. Make sure to print or save a copy of your purchase confirmation as well as email receipts. Keep any materials that show when your item is suppose to be delivered, so that if it doesn’t turn up by the posted date, you have proof to show the company when you contact them.
