The internet is a fantastic place for shoppers who want to purchase goods without walking around stores aimlessly for hours on end, and it shows no sign of slowing down, as more and more stores and industries move online and leave the high street behind. However, what the high street has over the web is the smaller likelihood that you could be the victim of fraud.
The likelihood for e-commerce fraud has grown significantly, and unfortunately, in today’s modern world, the more technology improves and online software with it, the more opportunities thieves have of getting hold of your money.
If you see any of the four warning signs below when surfing online for goods, don’t give your details over and make a purchase. Chances are nothing will be delivered to your home, and you might not get your money back.
You’ve Never Heard of the Brand Before
As the saying goes: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This certainly applies to purchasing goods online. To avoid any chance of being the victim of online fraud, stick to the brands that you have heard of, have used before, or who are top of the Google rankings. This method should steer you click of any dodgy websites, and you can purchase good from reputable companies, such as Amazon for goods, Barnes and Noble for books, and Ticketsales.com for events, gigs, and concerts.
Your Browser Warns You When You Click Through
A sure sign that all is not well with the website you’re looking to purchase goods from is when your web browser (e.g., Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.) or internet security kicks in and warns you that the site is not secure. If a site is secure, you should see a padlock and the word ‘Secure’ in the toolbar where the web address lies. If you see a red cross instead, it might be a better idea to head to another website, simply for the reassurance that it will be secure.
Their Online Reviews Are Terrible or Non-Existent
One of the wonders of the internet is that it gives consumers plenty of options to write reviews and warn consumers away from all manner of websites and businesses. Websites like Yelp and Tripadvisor are incredibly helpful for hotels and restaurants, and there are plenty of other options for other industries.
However, the best places to check are Facebook and Google, as there are likely to be plenty of reviews, with them being the biggest websites in the world. If the reviews are poor or non-existent, head somewhere else. However, if there are a mixture of good and bad reviews, read a few of both and see if there is a pattern in the bad ones, such as non-delivery, late delivery, broken and damaged goods, etc.
There is No Small Print on Their Website
When you’re purchasing goods online, you should seek out the small print of the website to ensure that they have procedures and policies in place for replacements, returns, lost items and shipping rates. You might have to search for the information at the bottom of the page or in the far corners of the website. However, if you aren’t using one of the more instantly recognizable websites like Amazon, it is worth seeking this information out to make sure you are covered for any issues that may arise with your purchases.
