In the UK, over 80% of the population make e-commerce purchases.1 But how many consider their online safety?
This article includes tips, suggestions and general information. We recommend that you always do your own research and consider getting independent tax, financial and legal advice before making any important decision.
To help you shop safely online, consider the below best practices:
Read on to learn more.
Safe online shopping starts with knowing your rights as a buyer.
Here are some tips for online shopping and buyer protection:
Using safe online shopping websites can help provide increased protection when making purchases in the digital world.
You could consider the below factors when trying to determine if a website is safe and legitimate:
It is possible for scammers to mimic the above signs of being a safe website. Always act with caution, be vigilant, and consider all risks before making an online purchase.
Carefully review the privacy notice when shopping online. Generally, businesses are legally required to disclose why they’re processing people’s personal data, how long they’ll be keeping it for, and who they’ll be sharing it with.5 Privacy notices are sometimes known as ‘fair processing information’ and ‘privacy information’.
Legitimate businesses will normally provide clear and accessible contact information, including things such as customer care contact details, a physical address (if applicable), phone number, and/or email.
If a business address seems suspicious or does not match the nature of the business, it may indicate fraud. Likewise, confirming a valid phone number and reaching out to enquire about the business may provide peace of mind.
Reviews can provide insight into current or past customers’ experience with a business. This may help a potential customer to gauge the reputation and reliability of a business. Typically, if other shoppers have had negative incidents with a specific company — including fraud — they might post about it online to warn others. It’s possible that some reviews may not be legitimate, so it’s a good idea to exercise caution and consider all factors when deciding to shop at an online store.
By taking the right precautions, it is possible to buy with confidence and enjoy safe online shopping.
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