8 Tips to Keep Your Information Safe While Shopping Online

Shopping online is a convenient way to find great prices and skip a trip to the store. But, it’s important to keep your information safe on the internet when making purchases. Here are a few ways you can make sure you’re protecting yourself when you shop online.

1. Stick with reputable retailers

The easiest way to ensure your information is safe is to stick with reputable retailers. Websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Target are all popular, trusted vendors. If the store is one you know offline, it’s most likely trustworthy.

2. Make sure the website is encrypted

Confirm the address starts with “https,” says “secure,” or has a padlock at the top left of the browser. This means the website is secure, and your information is more likely to be encrypted. The way this is displayed depends on your web browser, so make sure to research how your browser displays secure websites.

3. Verify the web address

Make sure the address is correct. One wrong character in the website address could mean you’re not on the correct website. Be especially careful when following links from emails, social media, or other websites. Cybercriminals use websites and website addresses that are close to or look like reputable sites. They’ll make theirs look similar to legitimate retailers to trick people into handing over sensitive information.

4. Be careful with steep discounts

Most legitimate vendors won’t go much below retail price for expensive items, but scammers will advertise extremely low prices on popular products to get your information. When something seems too good to be true, it might be.

5. Look for spelling or grammar mistakes

Real vendors are careful to double-check their websites for mistakes. One or two grammar, spelling, or web design mistakes might make it through, but many mistakes are a clear warning sign of a scam site.

6. Find contact information

Retailers typically make it easy for you to contact them with a question or issue. They also offer multiple methods of contact, including phone numbers, email addresses, and live chat options. If the contact information isn’t there or is hard to find, the store may not be trustworthy.

7. See What Other Customers Are Saying

Use resources like the Better Business Bureau, Yelp, and Google to see reviews and feedback from other customers. These resources can help you determine if the retailer is reliable. Some even let customers report scams.

8. Know Where You’re Connecting

Be careful when using public and free WiFi. The owner of the wireless network could use their control of the network to intercept sensitive information. Whenever possible, use private WiFi to make purchases or enter sensitive information. If you need to buy something using public WiFi, make sure to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect your data.

For more helpful advice and reminders, read other help and security articles on our website.