More people are shopping online than ever before. For some, shopping from home is a practical option while for others it offers a more enjoyable experience. But with the digital world changing rapidly around us, it can sometimes be tricky to stay up to date on how to shop safely. Follow these helpful tips to shop online with confidence and avoid falling prey to cybercriminals.
Red flags to be on the lookout for while browsing
1- Signs of false advertising
Photos of well-known personalities, miracle creams, promises that are just too good to be true… Watch out for false advertising that encourages you to buy products that don't actually exist or are cheap knockoffs.
2- Prices that are too good to be true
If the price of the item you've been coveting for months is unusually low, ask yourself if you might just be shopping on a fake e-commerce site. Cybercriminals use this technique to capture your personal information and steal your money.
Make sure you're on a trusted website
Even if the site seems totally legit and appears to follow the brand's graphic standards, don't let your guard down just yet. Be sure to check for the following features:
3- Verify the seller's identity and the website's reputation
If you want to make sure the website you're planning to use for online shopping is safe, search the website's name. You can also add the keyword "scam" to your search.
Check the search results to see if anyone has reported negative experiences with the seller.
4- Legal notice
These notices are mandatory on all e-commerce sites. They're typically located at the bottom of the website. If you can't find a legal notice page, leave the website.
5- General terms of sale
Every trusted website has a page where it displays its terms of sale or terms of use. Generally speaking, this is where you can find information on shipping or return conditions, or on the delivery time or cost.
Ready to make a purchase?
6- Avoid these traps!
The process for making a purchase is pretty similar on most sites: You choose the items you want to buy, put them in your shopping cart, confirm your order then make the payment. Some websites require you to create an account before proceeding to purchase. If this happens, be cautious and ask yourself if there's anything odd about the request, especially in these situations:
- You're asked to provide your credit card information before you confirm your purchase.
- You're asked to pay more than the advertised price.
- The site doesn't accept credit card payments.
- You're asked to pay by cash or e-transfer.
- You're asked for your financial information by email or in a pop-up window.
After shopping
7- Check your statements
Desjardins offers services like Verified by VisaTM or Mastercard Identity Check® to make your online shopping more secure, giving you peace of mind and reducing the chance of any unauthorized transactions being charged to your account.
To learn more: Online shopping protection
After shopping, check your credit card or account statement online (AccèsD) to make sure that you recognize the name of the retailer and that the currency is in fact the one you used to make your purchase. These are signs that can tip you off that you may have been a victim of fraud. At times, though, it may not be easy to recognize a retailer's name on a statement. To confirm that it's the right retailer, simply do a quick online search.
Transactions may take a few days to appear in your account, but checking them is a very good habit to get into each and every month.
Be vigilant and look out for anything suspicious. If you're ever in doubt, quickly leave the site and don't proceed with the payment.
Reporting is important!
If you think you may have been a victim of fraud, contact the following resources as soon as possible:
- Your financial institution and any other financial partners
- Your local police department
- Credit rating agencies (Equifax and TransUnion)
TM Trademark of Visa International Service Association and used under license.
®Registered trademark of Mastercard International Inc.
You can also report fraud to the following organizations:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC)
- The Autorité des marchés financiers (Quebec) or the Ontario securities commission for scams related to investing
Some victims can feel embarrassed or even ashamed that they were scammed, and may not want to talk about it. But that shouldn't be the case. It's important to tell the people around you and notify the authorities. Scammers are always adjusting their tactics to manipulate and trick their victims.
You can also call us at 1-800-224-7737 for confidential advice or support.