Preventing Online Scams
While you sit at home scrolling through the web looking for the best deals, remember to take measures to maintain your online safety. It is important to be extra cautious when making purchases. You may think that you are shopping on secure websites, but there is a chance that you may be a victim of fraud.
When you are surrounded by multiple ads and promotions, it is easy to overlook the simplest things.
Scam expert, Carrie Kerskie, finds the following tips useful when attempting to stay safe:
-Checking out as a Guest
-Saving Confirmation Numbers
– Not using Public Wi-Fi
-Using a Credit Card instead of a Debit Card
-Checking the spelling of the URL
In addition to these tips, it is important to note that if a deal seems too good to be true, then it most likely is. In order to verify this, you should compare the items price on other trusted websites.
A few warning signs to be aware of when shopping online include: noticing that the online retailer does not provide adequate information about privacy, terms and conditions of use, dispute resolution or contact details. The seller may be based overseas or does not allow payment through a secure payment service, such as PayPal or a credit card transaction.
If you feel as if you are a victim of online shopping scams, you can visit the FTC page to file a complaint