It’s easier and more convenient to shop online. Although it’s fun to look for offers from the comfort of your home, be careful of scammers who might be targeting your identity or money.
Scammers target customers in a variety of ways, including hyperlinks that can spread malware, counterfeit items, bogus retail websites, merchants that disappear after payment, and more. Use the following tips to prevent being scammed while making your next online purchase:
Verify the seller
Look out for websites with strange URLs, poor grammar, or a lack of customer reviews. Pay great attention to the terms and conditions and privacy policy of the website, and don’t forget to look at customer feedback. Make purchases exclusively from reliable dealers or company websites.
Look for built-in security features
An open padlock or broken key icon to the left of the URL in your browser indicates that the transaction is not secure and could be intercepted by a third party. When the padlock is secured, the key symbol is complete, or the web URL starts with “https://,” the transaction is considered secure.
Be wary of entering too much information
Watch out for scams if a website requests your driver’s license or social security information.
Monitor your statements
Check your credit card or bank account for any irregularities, such as recurring or unfamiliar charges. Keep a close eye on your statements to review your payments and purchases as they occur.
Notify the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if you believe you were the victim of fraud. In order to place a fraud warning on your credit report, you should also get in touch with your bank, local police, and the two credit reporting agencies, Equifax and TransUnion.
Learn more on how to protect yourself from online shopping scams at: https://newscanada.com/en/4-tips-for-identifying-online-shopping-scams-140151
Reference: https://newscanada.com/
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