Tips For Online Shopping When You're Stuck Indoors

While it’s so cold outside in a large part of the northern hemisphere, perhaps passing the time by doing some online auction shopping is your thing. In most cases, the sales that take place on these sites, such as on eBay, go on with nary a problem whatsoever. Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous persons out there who want to take advantage of the bargain hunters. But don’t fret! There are some things you can do to protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.

• Secure your account. Choose login credentials that are not used anywhere else on the Internet.

• Make sure to choose a password that is strong and not easily guessed. Use letters and numbers, as well as at least one special character.

• Be lean on what information you put into any profile. If they don’t need something to complete a transaction, don’t give it away.

• Make your login name as anonymous as you can. Avoid putting personal details in it such as your name or birthdate.

Now that your account is more secure, here are some general tips to help keep you from getting taken:

• Take some time to read reviews about the seller or buyer. If they are prone to bad behavior, it’ll likely show up in their reviews. Those who have been selling and/or online for a while and get good feedback are usually the ones with the best reputations and are less likely to rip you off.

• Be sure to have an idea of the worth of the item you’re trying to buy or sell. Don’t let the other party take advantage of your ignorance.

• Ask for photos of the item, if the ones posted are not clear. Take a screen shot of the item so you have proof of how it was advertised in case it shows up worse for wear.

• Make sure you understand the website’s terms of use and the return policy of the seller, if you’re a buyer. Be sure to understand the site’s policy on transactions gone bad.

• Use an online payment service, such as PayPal or Venmo to make purchase when offered. These are less risky than using payment cards.

As always, be aware of phishing scams. These may appear as auction items or lures could show up in ads that appear on the site. In addition, if you’re “watching” an item, it’s possible that targeted phishing email messages may show up in your inbox. Don’t click on links or attachments in these messages. Instead, go into your online account and check for messages and information there.