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10 tips for safe online shopping

10 tips for safe shopping

  1. No padlock, no purchase.
    Website security is the cornerstone of online shopping - it ensures that your credit card details remain strictly confidential. Before entering any payment information, first look for a padlock icon somewhere in your browser (in the address bar, or in the status bar towards the bottom of the page) - this indicates that the website is secure. As an added measure, make sure the website address starts with "https" - not just "http", as the 's' here means 'secure'. If you can't find either of these, enquire about other secure payment options.
Look for a padlock icon and make sure the address starts with "https".
  1. Prefer reputable shops & sellers.
    Read store reviews and check eBay seller ratings before you buy, or opt for sites that you have successfully bought from before - especially when it comes to the expensive stuff. When you can only find the goods you want at small, little-known online shops, check for secure payment methods or use a reliable Escrow service to manage the transaction.
  2. Use Paypal as a payment alternative.
    When sellers don't offer their own on-site secure method of payment, use Paypal as an alternative. Paypal is an online service that allows payment via credit card, bank transfer, store credit or account funds, without sharing financial information. It's free to use, payment is delivered instantly, with security and identify verification taken very seriously.
Check credit card statements after shopping, to make sure your digits haven't been taken for a joyride.
  1. Shop only from a clean computer.
    Online orders require your personal details, so make sure your computer is free from viruses and malware. Free applications like AVG Free and MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware are readily available online. When using a shared computer, decline if the browser offers to save your details for later, and remember to close all open browser windows when you're done.
  2. Be vigilant for phishing scams.
    Phishing is a form of email fraud designed to steal your personal information. Phishing scams may look like forged account management requests, or offer too-good-to-be-true discounts on retail goods. Learn how to spot a phishing scam and assess every promotional email you receive - especially if you intend to buy.
  3. Don't transact over email.
    Email is an insecure medium - meaning it's more susceptible to being intercepted, forged and accessed without your permission. With so many payment options available today, you should never have to give out your credit card or account information via email.
  4. Don't shop from spam.
    Email promotions should only come from sites you've subscribed to, or stores that you've purchased from before. Avoid responding to unsolicited emails - especially with your credit card information. Not only does that encourage the practise of spamming, but would leave your personal details out in the wild.
Don't get ripped off - check store & product reviews, and do your own price comparison.
  1. Read the privacy policy.
    Ensure that your personal details won't be passed onto third-party advertisers or email address brokers. This reduces the risk of receiving unsolicited mail, safeguarding against the likelihood of future spam and phishing incidents. Most online shops - particularly reputable stores - understand the importance of privacy; your details are generally safe in their hands.
  2. Have your order delivered to a trusted destination.
    With all the talk of online safety, remember to be careful offline too. Get your order delivered to a work address, or any other destination attended by someone you trust. This assures that your purchase doesn't get stolen before it gets to you.
  3. Keep records & check your statements.
    Finally, save records of your shopping adventures in case something goes wrong during the delivery process - this is especially useful if you've been on a shopping spree across several different online stores. Keep track of what you're expecting, and from whom, to avoid any missed packages amongst the incoming horde. Check subsequent credit card statements too, to make sure your digits haven't been taken for a joyride.

tricks from seasoned shoppers

Safety is just one aspect of a pleasant shopping transaction. As well as being careful about the risks, there are heaps of tricks that seasoned shoppers recommend to make your buying experience even better:

  • Read product reviews & comparisons.
    When you really want something, it's tempting to just pick up the first one you find. But don't get ripped off - stay informed on what consumers are saying about the product you want. Google for fakes when buying designer goods, and don't let exciting sales taglines distract you from doing a real price comparison.
  • Check customs regulations in youra rea.
    To protect the country's unique ecosystem, the Australian government imposes careful restrictions on what can enter our borders - read their guide on buying over the internet.
  • Look for discount codes before buying.
    Lots of online stores run promtions & special offers that only get advertised to store members or on partner sites. Refer to sites like retailmenot.com and couponcodes4u.com for discount codes, tried and verified by other online shoppers.
  • Follow sales-watch sites.
    The best-kept secret for buying designer goods are the sales-watch and designer discount sites. Try threadpeople.com, estile.com, ozsale.com.au, buyinvite.com.au, cocolee.com.au and brandsexclusive.com - exclusive online communities offering genuine designer goods at affordable prices.
  • Know your rights.
    No matter what a retailer, supplier or manufacturer says to you, your basic rights cannot be taken away - and they apply to all of your purchases, even online ones, within Australia. If you receive a faulty item from an Australian store, the law entitles you to a refund, even if store credit is offered - read the ACCC's brochure on your consumer rights.
  • Check shipping rates, delivery times & currency conversion.
    Sometimes, after all the numbers have been crunched, it can still work out cheaper and quicker to buy from your local shopping centre - even if local goods carry a higher retail price.

10 Tips for Safe Online Shopping is part of our Internet Safety Series in the Discoveryzone - articles, guides and best-practise common sense to keep you aware and out of trouble.

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