Tip - Shop Safely Online

The holiday season is already here and you know what that means - lots of shopping and lots of bargains! I love online shopping for the convenience, merchandise variety and deals you can find. Plus, you can avoid the crowds and hassle of looking for parking.

While shopping online can be fun, (and maybe a little addictive) there is also a darker element associated - online fraud. After working at several online organizations, I have seen my fair share of online crime being committed. That still hasn't deterred me from shopping online though. Many merchants are legitimate sellers, but it still pays to do your due diligence so you can avoid becoming a statistic. Here are some tips I use that you can follow:

1) Research the merchant or website

Search the internet for reviews of the merchant. Read about other customers’ experiences to see if this is a merchant you want to do business with. Do not simply check the rating scores, read any comments left in their entirety as they can offer true insight on the merchant. There are review sites you can check, as well as individual seller feedback at online marketplaces. 

2) Check the merchant’s site for contact information

A genuine merchant will take the time to provide contact information and other details about their site. Take a look at the entire site, paying attention to the “About Us” pages and others which may contain company information. Contact the merchant and ask questions about their products if you are still unsure. This will also give you a sense of their quality of service and response times.

3) Research the product

Check the manufacturer’s website or search the internet to see if the product is only sold through authorized dealers. Some manufacturers are extremely guarded with their trademarks and patents, so be careful of purchasing counterfeit and stolen goods.

4) Compare prices

Make sure you do some price comparison by checking out reputable sites for an average price. If the merchant you are looking to buy from offers the item at a very low price, this should set off some alarms. For example, if several large retail chains are unable to sell an iPhone 5 for $300, it would not make sense that a random merchant is able to. The product could be counterfeit, stolen or non-existent and you want to avoid these types of transactions.

5) Pay using your credit card or an eWallet solution

Potentially fraudulent transactions can be disputed or charged back through your credit card provider if necessary. Keep in mind that charge-backs are serious and should only be done if the transaction is actually fraudulent.

eWallet solutions like PayPal and Google Wallet also have dispute processes in place to help if any complications arise. Do not pay “off site” or through unsupported payment methods if purchasing items at an online marketplace.  A fraudulent merchant may refund your payment immediately then ask you to re-pay through a different method, or to a different account. In addition, they may ask you to pay with untraceable payments like Western Union or Moneygram, which you should avoid.

Take all these factors into account when shopping online so you can have a safe and enjoyable experience. Remember to go with your instinct and if you have any doubt, shop elsewhere. If it’s too good to be true, then it usually is.