5 Tips to Buy on the Internet
For some of us, it is a joy to wander the malls and other shopping streets in search of birthday or Christmas gifts. For others, it is hell or simply impossible for lack of time. Sometimes it even turns into a marathon if the desired product is no longer available anywhere. That where the internet come into place with coupons & cash back site like Refermate.com offering valid promo codes for sure you will like to shop online.
Since the internet has existed, those who resist gift shopping in street stores can avoid this ordeal and quietly search for gift ideas online. There remains the last, most delicate step: online payment, which is generally done by credit card. How to avoid being fooled and not afraid of having your card number hacked?
1. Do not buy at any kind of stores
First important step: choosing the store. When you have the choice, prefer an online store that you already know by fame or because you have already used it. Make sure that the general information and the conditions of sale are accessible, the physical address of the company must be clearly indicated with a means of contact (telephone, email)
If you have no choice and you have doubts about the reliability of a seller, do not hesitate to contact them by phone or email under the pretext of checking the availability of a product. Do some research on the internet with the name of the store or ask the community for advice in pre-order advice forums to find an alternative or collect reviews.
2. Secure pages and VPN
A bank card number is intended to be entered on a special secure page which must be encrypted to prevent the number from being intercepted by a third party. These pages are easily recognizable thanks to the S of HTTPS which is displayed at the beginning of the address or the padlock present in the address bar. You can also activate your VPN if you have ever subscribed to a service of this type.
On the other hand, bank card numbers should never pass through a simple contact form or through emails. Ideally, your real credit card number should almost never go online (see below).
In addition to this verification concerning the encryption of the page, do not forget to trigger your VPN to add an additional layer of protection, especially if you make your purchase while being connected to a Wifi network which is not yours.
3. Use an alternative payment method
Online sales sites sometimes offer alternative means of payment by credit card. For example, some offer payment via Paypal, which eliminates the need to systematically provide your card number. However, you must open a Paypal account by providing your card number or credit the account.
Bank transfer can also be an attractive alternative if you can make transfers online. The seller generally asks to note a reference to find the transaction. However, you should not be in a hurry, the validation of the order being longer than during a payment by card.
4. Activate 3D Secure
Banking organizations have looked into these security problems and most banks or cards (Carte Bleu, Visa, Mastercard, etc.) offer security solutions such as 3-D Secure, a secure Internet payment protocol.
Date of birth, code card, code by SMS … not all banks offer the same type of security. Check with your advisor what type of security your card offers and how to activate it before shopping online.
5. Use a prepaid card
If you do not have a card, bank account or are particularly concerned that your numbers do not circulate on the internet, it is possible to acquire a prepaid credit card. These cards, which can also be used in street shops, are credited with a certain amount before use.