Safer shopping
How to make sure you’re using a reputable seller
You can tell a lot by the look and feel of a website if you’re worried about its authenticity . It is professionally presented? Do all the links work properly? Is there a contact address and phone number? It can be worth calling any published phone numbers to check that its real, manned number. Feedback on review sites such as Pricerunner (www.pricerunner.co.uk) can also help, but beware of sites whose feedback is too good to be true.
Location, Location
Double check to make sure you are where you think you are, as spoof of phishing sites exists to harvest information. Never click on a link in an email or web page and then input your details. Switch on phishing warnings in your browser and security software. Bear in mind, too, that a ‘co.uk ‘ address doesn’t guarantee that a shop is located in UK.
Check site security
According to advice from the UK Cards Association, before submitting your card details, “your should ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol is showing in your browser. The beginning of the online retailer’s internet address will also change from ‘http’ to ‘https’, when a connection is secure”. The Internet Explorer 7 and above, the address bar should also turn green to indicate strong security.
Never Wire Money
Money transfer is often used by fraudsters to solicit payment for goods that are never delivered, as well as other scams. Never pay by money transfer of cheque; you have no comeback if things go wrong.
Keep An Online-Only Card
Keeping a card that’s purely used for online purchases makes it easier t spot any mysterious transactions. Consider setting a relatively low limit to curtail spending if tit is compromised.
