Online Shopping & Payment Safety
Shop Smart. Pay Safely. Protect Your Information.
Online shopping makes it easy to purchase products and services from almost anywhere. Unfortunately, it also creates opportunities for scammers to operate fake websites, steal payment information, and trick customers into sending money.
Before making an online purchase, take a few moments to verify that the website and seller are legitimate.
Watch out for fraudulent websites
Scammers create websites that look like legitimate stores or businesses. Some advertise popular products at unusually low prices to encourage customers to make quick purchases.
Warning signs include:
- Prices that seem too good to be true.
- Websites with misspelled business names or unusual web addresses.
- Poorly written product descriptions.
- Missing contact information or return policies.
- Requests for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unusual payment methods.
- Unexpected redirects or suspicious pop-up messages.
A website displaying a padlock or HTTPS connection does not guarantee that the business is legitimate. It only indicates that the connection is encrypted.
Protect your payment information
When making online purchases:
- Shop with businesses you know or can independently verify.
- Use trusted payment methods.
- Avoid entering payment information through links in unsolicited emails or texts.
- Never send your debit card information through an unsecured message.
- Avoid saving payment information on unfamiliar websites.
- Review your account activity after making purchases.
Be careful with online marketplaces
Buying from individuals through social media, classified advertisements, and online marketplaces can create additional risks.
Be cautious when:
- A seller pressures you to pay immediately.
- A buyer sends an excessive payment and asks for a refund.
- Someone requests payment outside the marketplace’s established system.
- A seller refuses to provide additional information or verification.
- You receive unexpected payment confirmations that cannot be independently verified.
Use secure connections
Avoid conducting sensitive financial transactions over unsecured public Wi-Fi.
When using public networks:
- Avoid accessing financial accounts when possible.
- Do not enter sensitive information on unfamiliar networks.
- Turn off automatic connections to unknown Wi-Fi networks.
- Keep your device software updated.
Monitor your accounts
Regularly review debit card and bank account transactions. If you notice an unfamiliar purchase or unauthorized transaction, contact your financial institution immediately.
Remember
If a deal looks too good to be true, take a closer look before making a purchase.
Protect your payment information just as carefully as you protect your cash.