Here’s how you can stay safe while shopping online

The digital space has advanced radically in recent years, and nowadays, it seems like you can buy everything online. Whether you’re looking to buy food, groceries, clothes, furniture, or gadgets – you can bet that there’s a website or mobile app for it. Moreover, all it takes is a couple of clicks to buy what you need and have it delivered when you want.

Though this may be convenient, it’s not without certain risks. There are countless online scammers and fraudsters on the internet, and many of them are after either sensitive information about you or your money. This is why it’s important that customers like you are wary of suspicious sites or offers. 

To help you with this, we’ve listed down some of the ways you can keep safe in the digital space!

Shop with legitimate sellers and official stores

One of the best ways to prevent online fraud is to shop with verified and legitimate websites. Brands will usually indicate the links to their official websites and it’s best to do your shopping there. If you want to shop on an online marketplace like Lazada or Shopee, best to go to a brand’s official store or buy from official resellers. By doing this, you can ensure the quality of the products you’re purchasing.

Additionally, if you’re going to type in the URL of a website, make sure to double-check its spelling. Some online fraudsters make fake websites using misspelled website URLs, and eventually trick customers into sharing sensitive information or buying low-quality products. A typo can be the difference between getting the item you want and being a fraud victim.

Be wary of deals that are too good to be true

Who doesn’t love a good deal? Some online shops offer seasonal or flash sales, which are bound to attract customers like you. Be careful though, because if a deal is too good to be true, it might be fake. 

Before you purchase that 90% off gadget or that “buy one, take three” deal, examine the offer. Check if it’s on a legitimate website, if there are actual photos of the products, and if there are any reviews for it. Doing a bit of research will help you differentiate a good deal from a scam.

Don’t click suspicious links

Whether it’s from a random text, email, message, or social media post, suspicious links are always bad news. Avoid them by always examining where the link came from, and whether or not it’s a legitimate source. 

Always ask yourself these questions: do I trust this message or page? Is it secure? Does it have any indications of being fake? Looking closely at the source of the link will help you discern whether or not you should open it. Ultimately, this will help you avoid links that download malware once clicked or try to get your personal information. 

Pay through secure channels

Some customers prefer going cashless and opt to pay for their transactions online. This is fine, as long as you do so through trusted payment gateways and secure websites. If an online store asks you to pay on a completely different site, or one that doesn’t look like it’s affiliated with a bank or payment gateway, then you may have to rethink your purchase. 

It’s also smart to use strong passwords to protect your online accounts. Make sure that it’s something you haven’t shared with anyone, and something that isn’t easy to guess. Furthermore, avoid having the same password for all your online accounts and apps.

Check customer reviews

One easy but helpful way to see if a store is legitimate is through reading reviews from verified customers. By doing this, you’ll be able to gauge if particular products are really what you’re looking for, especially if past customers include photos in their reviews. You’ll also get an idea of whether or not a store ships products on time or in good condition, as these are things that customers are quick to call out in the review section.

How can online merchants help customers stay safe online?

Creating a safe E-commerce environment isn’t just the responsibility of customers; it’s also the responsibility of merchants. Merchants should do their part in protecting their customers, like providing trusted payment gateways and doing regular security checks on their websites. Moreover, they can help educate their customers about possible scams, and be there for them should they need any assistance when it comes to safe online shopping.

Merchants should also choose partners that value their customers’ safety as much as they do. That’s why if they’re looking for an E-commerce enabler in the Philippines to help them with their operations, then Payo is the best choice!

From providing a safe payment gateway through CoD Integration to handling customer data with the utmost care, Payo is committed to being a reliable partner through and through. To learn more about Payo and what we have to offer, you can send us a message at [email protected] or sign up with us today. We’d be happy to discuss our solutions with you!