Online Shopping Security
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Normally it takes time for the majority of people to trust new technology, and some consumers are still apprehensive about online shopping—quite often because they believe it is too risky. But, the fact is, online shopping is actually quite safe.
Not all that long ago online shops were a revolutionary concept. Now they are a key component of modern day retailing. In United States of America alone, consumers spend tens of billions of dollars annually over the Internet. And why not. Online shops are a handy alternative to conventional brick-and-mortar stores. They make shopping a convenient stay-at-home activity. As today's discerning shopper understands, web-based stores are fundamentally an extension of the tangible marketplace.
Not all that long ago online shops were a revolutionary concept. Now they are a key component of modern day retailing. In United States of America alone, consumers spend tens of billions of dollars annually over the Internet. And why not. Online shops are a handy alternative to conventional brick-and-mortar stores. They make shopping a convenient stay-at-home activity. As today's discerning shopper understands, web-based stores are fundamentally an extension of the tangible marketplace.
Therefore, safeguards afforded the regular consumer also protect the online shopper. Similarly, the instincts and experiences you have acquired as a brick-and-mortar consumer apply equally well to the Internet. Once you trust the technology—and yourself as an online shopper—most fears will disappear. Yet, the Internet is still a relatively new and distinct medium for transacting business, and there are a few basic things you should learn and understand in order to make your online shopping experience more secure.
Get to know your sellers
It may be a subconscious process, but when you are shopping at the high street store or shopping mall, you constantly make judgments about the people trying to sell you things. You measure the aesthetic quality and quality of their stores. You consider their track record, taking into account their reputation and the experiences you have had with them. You interact face-to-face with owners, managers, and sales staff, and as a result you quite rightly consider this as a valuable way to gauge your comfort level with a potential seller. On the internet, these types of assessments are slightly more difficult. You can't look someone in the eye over the Internet. You can't see other customers transacting business.
It may be a subconscious process, but when you are shopping at the high street store or shopping mall, you constantly make judgments about the people trying to sell you things. You measure the aesthetic quality and quality of their stores. You consider their track record, taking into account their reputation and the experiences you have had with them. You interact face-to-face with owners, managers, and sales staff, and as a result you quite rightly consider this as a valuable way to gauge your comfort level with a potential seller. On the internet, these types of assessments are slightly more difficult. You can't look someone in the eye over the Internet. You can't see other customers transacting business.
And, you can't observe the state of a store's offices and storerooms. However, you can do a number of things to familiarize with a vendor and its reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau or the store's local Chamber of Commerce to get an objective appraisal of the company's business practices. Look for basic corporate information on the store's Web site. You should be able to find a vendor's physical address, phone number, and other essential corporate information. Sellers with nothing to hide will make all this information freely available. If you're unable to learn who owns an online store, where its offices are located, or what its warranty and return policies are, you may want to avoid using that retailer. The bottom line is this. Only do business with online vendors you know and trust.
Use secure sites
Many internet-based stores have taken measures to make your online purchases as secure as possible. They use advanced encryption methods and validation processes to ensure your credit card number remains safe and to prevent others from fraudulently using your identity. However, not all sites employ these technologies, and it's up to you to make certain the online store you're using handles transactions securely.
Many internet-based stores have taken measures to make your online purchases as secure as possible. They use advanced encryption methods and validation processes to ensure your credit card number remains safe and to prevent others from fraudulently using your identity. However, not all sites employ these technologies, and it's up to you to make certain the online store you're using handles transactions securely.
There are several tell-tale signs a store has security measures in place. If you're using Internet Explorer or Netscape, your browser will display a "locked" icon to show you're on a secure part of a site. Secure sites will also have a slightly modified Internet address. Rather than beginning with http://, the site's URL will begin with https://. The "s" means the sight is using a secure server. Additionally, many stores launch a pop-up window to indicate when you're moving to a safe area. If none of these indicators are present, you may want to seek out an alternative retailer.
Pay by credit card
One of the most discussed fears concerning online shopping is credit card fraud. Ironically, paying by credit card is the safest way to transact business over the Web. Encryption and validation technologies have made most transactions quite secure, and furthermore, under U.S. law your potential liability for unauthorized use of your credit card is limited to fifty dollars. You don't get the same kind of protection from checks or money orders, and certainly not when you use cash. Never send cash to make an online purchase.
One of the most discussed fears concerning online shopping is credit card fraud. Ironically, paying by credit card is the safest way to transact business over the Web. Encryption and validation technologies have made most transactions quite secure, and furthermore, under U.S. law your potential liability for unauthorized use of your credit card is limited to fifty dollars. You don't get the same kind of protection from checks or money orders, and certainly not when you use cash. Never send cash to make an online purchase.
If using a credit card still makes you a bit apprehensive, you may want to obtain a substitute or single-use card number for your online purchases. Some credit card companies have begun to offer these one-time payment methods to their cardholders. Substitute numbers are valid for a single purchase, and immediately thereafter, they expire. That way, even if a hacker or dishonest employee steals your credit card number, you won't be damaged. Check with your credit card company to see whether substitute numbers are available.
Keep transaction records
Keep a record of all your online transactions. Transaction records are a convenient way to track shipping dates and other details. They're also a key piece of evidence should a dispute arise regarding an online purchase. Fortunately, keeping records is quite easy. Most online shops provide a summary page when you complete a transaction. Simply print that page and place it in your files. You may also want to download a copy of the summary page and save it to your hard drive. That way you'll have two copies of every transaction, one paper and the other electronic.
Keep a record of all your online transactions. Transaction records are a convenient way to track shipping dates and other details. They're also a key piece of evidence should a dispute arise regarding an online purchase. Fortunately, keeping records is quite easy. Most online shops provide a summary page when you complete a transaction. Simply print that page and place it in your files. You may also want to download a copy of the summary page and save it to your hard drive. That way you'll have two copies of every transaction, one paper and the other electronic.
Always remember good shopping habits
Whatever you do, do not abandon good shopping habits. Just because you are shopping online it does not mean it is acceptable to drop your regular habits. For example, make sure you shop around before making a major online purchase. Once you get into it, you'll find online comparison shopping easy and fast. You can skip from store to store in seconds rather than minutes, and you'll never arrive at a store to find it's already closed.
Whatever you do, do not abandon good shopping habits. Just because you are shopping online it does not mean it is acceptable to drop your regular habits. For example, make sure you shop around before making a major online purchase. Once you get into it, you'll find online comparison shopping easy and fast. You can skip from store to store in seconds rather than minutes, and you'll never arrive at a store to find it's already closed.
Web-based shops are open 24 hours per day and are accessible worldwide. Despite their convenience, however, you don't want to use online stores for every kind of purchase. For instance, be wary of purchasing unique or expensive collectibles over the Web. You should really inspect and handle these sorts of items before deciding to buy them. Likewise, be extremely careful when engaging in online auctions. Before making a bid, make sure you know exactly what it is you're trying to buy. Moreover, make certain you trust the auctioneer and that you've read and understand the auction's rules.