Follow these tips for secure online shopping; they may help avoid any scams or fraud.
• Do not shop on public Wi-Fi networks or on public computers.
• Avoid making purchases directly through links in emails.
• Try to use a credit card instead of a debit card when shopping online since credit cards tend to offer better consumer protection than a debit card if you are scammed.
• Before shopping online, make sure the computer being used has all of the current updates of its operating system, Web browser, anti-virus and anti-malware software installed.
• Secure the Web browser by adjusting the settings to block pop-up ads and prevent cookies. When it’s time to log out, clear the cache on the Web browser.
• Stick to well-known and trusted merchants. Go directly to a merchant’s website to make an online purchase.
• When setting up an account or making a purchase on a website, be sure to look for the “s” in “https:” at the beginning of the site’s URL. That means the website is secured with encryption. If the “https:” isn’t there, it’s not a secure website.
• Look for the seal of approval from companies, such as Verisign, McAfee, Comodo or Trustwave that indicate the website has passed security and privacy tests.