Black Week and the beginning of December is the time when you can find amazing online bargains and save a lot. However, before you start shopping, remember the basic principles to follow when buying online.
1. Confirm the credibility of the seller
This is the first and most important rule of safe online shopping. Carefully verify the seller before finalising your purchase and making a payment. Check his contact details, place of business registration, telephone number – that's how you can spot a fraudster. For example, if a Google search doesn't find a company operating at the provided address, you should be careful. If a person met on the Internet sends you a payment link, e.g. to resell a concert ticket to you, it may be an attempted fraud.
2. Read the terms and conditions of the store
Thanks to the provisions of the Act of 18 July 2002 on the provision of electronic services, customers of online stores have the right to verify the seller's details. The website must contain current, legible and understandable terms and conditions that contain the company registration numbers: REGON, NIP, KRS (depending on the type of business), information on the possibility of withdrawing from the order and on the refund procedure. In order to quickly finalise the transaction, many customers "accept" the store's terms and conditions without actually reading them. This is a big mistake that should be avoided.
3. Check the address bar on the payment operator and bank websites
The key step of every transaction is choosing a payment method and making the payment in a dedicated place, e.g. on the bank or BLIK website. Pay particular attention to the address bar, which should contain only the correct address of the operator. Sometimes fraudsters change one letter in the address – a "typo" should alarm you.
4. Check the closed padlock icon
Always make sure you are on a secure page when entering any details for your order. A closed padlock next to the website address is evidence that the connection is encrypted. Never provide your e-banking password on the websites of third-party intermediaries.
5. When in doubt, contact the operator or the bank
Matters concerning security on the Internet are paramount for banks and payment operators. Fighting fraudsters is our common goal. Therefore, if you notice anything odd while shopping online, you can always contact your bank or the transaction intermediary to raise your concerns. Remember – by reporting suspicious activities you protect not only yourself but also others who may fall victim to fraudsters!
6. Avoid emotional purchases
Be careful when you see an incredibly attractive offer. The latest smartphone model for half the price, concert tickets that sold out in a few minutes or the all-inclusive trip offer in the price of the air ticket should make you vigilant. Scammers often try to seduce shoppers with "special" offers. They hope that in the heat of the moment, you will finalise the transaction on a spoofed website they provide.
