Online Shopping Dos and Don’ts for Safe Purchases

Posted on: Nov 1, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Online Shopping Dos and Don’ts for Safe Purchases

The internet has undoubtedly changed the way the world works. Today everything is done online and this increased more during the pandemic. Shopping is no exception and online shopping has become the preferred option for many. Online shopping without a doubt is more convenient. It allows you to check different stores sitting in the comfort of your house compare prices and have the item delivered to your doorstep without you moving anywhere.

There are many advantages of shopping online but like every coin has two sides, so does online shopping. While it is more convenient, the chances of a scam are high. Cyber insurance in India is growing at a fast pace because of the mere fact that these scams are taking place every day.

The main concern when shopping online today is security. Cyber security insurance has become one of the most important insurance products as it is tough to ascertain the level of a scam most of the time. Though risky, with some simple tips to protect yourself, you can stay safe when shopping online.

Let us talk about some important tips like online shopping dos and don'ts that must be kept in mind.

Do's While Shopping Online

Here are a few things to follow and how to stay safe while shopping online.

1. Research stores thoroughly

Be very careful when entering any personal or payment information on online stores, and do some research first. Search for phone numbers, email addresses, testimonials, or anything that suggests the site is legitimate and safe. Make sure you have covers like cyber insurance for shopaholics to ensure your protection as well.

2. Use secure sites

Only shop on secure sites that start with “https:. They must start with “/” and have a small padlock icon. Steer clear from websites that have spelt wrong words or have awkward web addresses. It is always advisable to have cyber insurance for shopaholics to stay safe if you get tempted to shop from new websites.

3. Create strong passwords

Develop complex passwords that are different for every account used online. Use different words which are common but put them together randomly with numbers, symbols and capital letters. Turn on the two-factor authentication option if available. Cyber insurance for shopaholics could pay for losses in the event that passwords are weak and you suffer a loss.

4. Beware phishing attempts

Be cautious of scams; phishing emails or advertisements may request sensitive information. Such tricky messages could be scams where they are designed to steal your information. Online shopping etiquette guidelines suggest avoiding unwanted messages.

5. Keep software updated

Keep your antivirus software and your firewalls always updated. Browsers and devices should be updated often to minimise risks. Some practices that one should adhere to include the dos and don’ts of online shopping such as updating software.

6. Review statements closely

Monitor all statements of accounts as well as billing statements for charges that were not incurred intentionally. Report suspicious activity immediately. If available for reimbursement, shopaholics should use cyber insurance in cases of cyber frauds.

7. Use credit cards

Credit cards, not debit cards, should be used for more protection against fraud and for chargebacks. Do not pool your accounts; keep them separate. Understand the rules of safe payment when shopping online.

Don'ts While Shopping Online

Cyber insurance for shopaholics encourages their users to be aware of the following don'ts while shopping online.

1. Oversharing personal information

When making purchases online or when filling out any form of registration, do not disclose your address, birthday, or other financial details. This makes you prone to cyber insurance threats such as identity theft or financial fraud. To avoid being involved in an online shopping scam, do not disclose any personal information.

2. Falling for phishing scams

To ensure that you do not fall prey to phishing scams that seek to obtain your personal and payment details. It most often consists of phishing emails or text messages that lead to fraudulent websites. This way you will be able to avoid such mishaps as losing your hard-earned money or vital information to phishing scams which are characterised by poor spelling/grammar or urgent requests for information.

3. Ignoring secure connections

Make sure that the website you are using has a security connection before submitting any personal details. Look for the "https: i.e. it uses ‘https://’ at the start of the URL and a closed lock icon at the bottom of the browser. Non-secure sites increase your chance of being a victim of cyber insurance fraud when shopping online. Ensuring that the connection is secure is one of the most crucial dos and don’ts of shopping online.

4. Saving payment info

Although convenient, storing one’s payment card or account information on shopping sites can introduce cyber insurance threats if the retailer has been breached. It is best to do this whenever possible: Avoid saving this info. It increases risks, especially when a breach of data occurs in the system.

5. Disabling firewall + antivirus

Do not turn off your firewall or your antivirus when purchasing products online because hackers are capable of implanting malware into your computer to steal your financial and personal information. Maintain your cyber security by working to learn more about how to shop online safely and minimise the risks associated with cyber insurance for shopaholics.

6. Avoiding password best practices

Having the same, easily guessable, passwords for multiple sites allows the attacker to roam freely if the site gets compromised. It is recommended to use different complex passwords for different online shopping accounts. It is one of the most crucial online shopping guidelines for protecting your information.

7. Ignoring bank/card alerts

Lastly, be cautious of messages that are sent from your bank or card issuer. These alerts assist in identifying fraudulent transactions so that you can immediately report cases of unauthorised use of your accounts when dealing with cyber insurance risks in online purchases. Responsiveness can help minimise costs that are incurred in the process.

Tips to stay safe while online shopping

1. Do not fall for offers

When shopping online, you always tend to compare prices and sometimes you find offers which are too good. This is not a happy thing but a warning sign. There is a high chance that something is wrong when an offer is too good to be true and is not available anywhere else. It is always good to check the reputation of the merchant and also be sure of the authenticity of the products.

When the price is too low following are some of the issues you might face:

• Fake or faulty product

• Inability to return damaged product

• Information sharing is unsafe on the website

• The product might not be delivered

It is always good to do a background check if you are shopping from a new store. Else, it is always better and recommended to shop from a reputable store. Having a cyber insurance policy will help in case of a scam but always better to be safe.

2. Only give the necessary information

When ordering from a website, only give the mandatory information to place the order. Optional information does not need to be shared. Extra information gives more accessibility. Always read the privacy policy before giving information to any site.

3. Download shopping apps carefully

Apps are very convenient to use but then they are easier to be misused to take the information. Apps should be downloaded from Google Play Store or Apple Store as these are safe. The apps will always ask for certain permissions which must be carefully granted. Never give the apps access to contacts etc. and do check reviews and ratings before downloading any app.

FAQs

1. What should one do if he or she suspects that identity was stolen while shopping online?

Some actions may include reporting to your bank and credit card companies, placing a fraud alert and security freese on your credit, changing passwords, reviewing your statements for unauthorised transactions, etc.

2. What signs should I look out for to determine whether an online shopping site is secure or not?

Recommendations on how to ensure that the browser’s address begins with “https://”, on the presence of the lock symbol in the lower part of the web page, on the certificates of the site’s security, etc.

Conclusion

Shopping is fun and online shopping is also convenient. Scams should not scare you from indulging in shopping and buying your favourite things. But prevention is always better than cure and thus, taking care of some simple things can avoid a scam later. All you need to be is careful not to fall prey to wrong emails messages and offers which are too good to be true. You should have a policy for cyber insurance in India to protect yourself in case of a scam but still, the first step should be to be careful. So be vigilant and enjoy shopping.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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