14 Tips for Safe Online Shopping

There’s every reason in the world to shop online. The bargains are there. The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure. Shipping is fast. Even returns are easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more convenient for consumers. And in the age of COVID, it’s safer than going out even if you’re fully masked and gloved. 

But what about the bad guys? It happens. The FBI’s own Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)(Opens in a new window) says the number one cybercrime of 2019 in half the 50 states was related to online shopping: non-payment for or non-deliver of goods purchased. 

Stay calm. While somewhat alarming, these stats should not keep you from shopping online. You simply need to use some common sense and follow practical advice. Here are basic guidelines; use them and you can shop with confidence.

Check Statements Regularly

Check Statements Regularly

Don’t wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Go online regularly, especially during the holiday season, to view electronic statements for your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. Look for any fraudulent charges, even originating from payment sites like PayPal and Venmo. (After all, there’s more than one way to get to your money.)

You should definitely only buy online with a credit card. If your debit card is compromised, scammers have direct access to your bank funds. Any seller that wants a different kind of payment, like wired money, is a big red flag. The Fair Credit Billing Act(Opens in a new window) ensures that if you get scammed, you are only responsible for up to $50 of credit card charges you didn’t authorize. There are protections even if you’re not happy with a purchase you did make.

If you see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. In the case of credit cards, pay the bill only when you know all your charges are accurate. You have 30 days to notify the bank or card issuer of problems, however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.

Privatize Your Wi-Fi

Privatize Your Wi-Fi

Check the Seller

Check the Seller

If you’re wary of a site, perform your due diligence. The Better Business Bureau has an online directory(Opens in a new window) and a scam tracker(Opens in a new window). Yelp and Google are full of retailer reviews. Put companies through the wringer before you plunk down your credit card number. There’s a reason that non-delivery/non-payment is the most common cybercrime complaint: it hurts when that happens, financially and emotionally.

That said—online reviews can be gamed. If you see nothing but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legitimate customers, follow your instincts.

If nothing else, make absolutely sure you’ve got a concrete address and a working phone number for the seller. If things go bad, you have a place to take your complaint. In fact, call them before you order so you can clarify a return policy and where to go with any issues after the purchase.