Online shopping has become a common practice for many, but with convenience comes risks. It's crucial to know how to protect yourself from cybercriminals.
To avoid falling victim to scams while shopping online, follow these simple yet effective guidelines:
Choose cash on delivery. Scammers often sell non-existent products at attractive prices. Their goal is to get you to pay in advance and then vanish with your money.
Check market prices. Malicious actors create fake pages of popular stores and offer "exclusive" discounts. If an offer seems too good to be true compared to other sellers, it’s time to be cautious.
Verify links. Do not click on suspicious links from emails, social media, or messengers. Scammers build phishing sites that visually mimic legitimate stores. Pay attention to the URL; even a minor difference can indicate a fake site. The secure protocol https (indicated at the beginning of the URL) is also essential.
Avoid entering payment details on unfamiliar websites. Before making a payment, check the store's reputation: read reviews and search for information on independent resources. If the platform allows payment upon delivery, take advantage of that option.
Never share your card details with third parties. The card number, CVV code, and one-time confirmation codes from the bank are keys to your funds. Bank employees will never ask you for this information.
Use a separate card for online payments. Refill it just before making a purchase to minimize the risk of losing money in case of data compromise.
Ensure you have 3D Secure enabled. This technology adds an extra verification step when paying online. However, the store must support it; if the platform does not require payment confirmation, this could be a red flag.
Avoid making payments through public Wi-Fi networks. Open networks can be compromised, allowing criminals to intercept sensitive data.
Check QR codes in public places. Criminals may place QR codes in public spots that lead to counterfeit websites. Always verify the URL after scanning and avoid QR codes from unknown sources.
Additional payment security tips can be found on the website of the National Bank of Ukraine.
Stay cautious, and your online shopping experience will be secure!
Department of Cyber Police, National Police of Ukraine