Online shopping is an everyday habit for many. Whether making a snap purchase your favorite influencer suggested or pulling the trigger on a big-ticket item you've spent weeks price-tracking, buying on the web offers convenience and variety. But e-commerce doesn’t come without risks. Shoppers face threats from data breaches, scams and deception.

Fortunately, there are best practices you can take to help reduce your risk of exposure. Here are five tips to help you shop more safely online:

1. Stick to Trusted Retailers

   Beware of obscure websites you don’t know. If you’re looking into a new retailer, look for transparency and verified customer reviews. When in doubt, stick to the websites you know and trust. If a price or deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

2. Beware of Public Wi-Fi

   Avoid entering payment or personally identifying information into forms when connected to an open, public Wi-Fi network. Use secure connections. When shopping on your smartphone, turn off your Wi-Fi and use your mobile data unless you’re on your home network.

3. Monitor Your Bank Accounts

   Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. Set up online alerts for large or unusual transactions. If you see something suspicious, report it to your bank immediately.

4. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

   Don’t use easily guessed passwords. Create strong passwords. Don’t use the same password for every account. Make unique passwords for each account and login you use and be sure to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere it’s available for an added layer of security.

5. Use Secure Websites for Online Shopping

   Before entering your personal information on any site, ensure the web address, or URL, is secure. Don't click on an email’s advertising links. Instead, visit the brand's website directly and type in the trusted URL on a browser to avoid scams posing as familiar websites. Ensure that the URL begins with "https://" and includes a padlock symbol in the address bar. A padlock indicates the site uses encryption to help protect your data. Secure sites help ensure that your information, such as credit card information, is transmitted safely.

By following these tips and staying informed, you can enjoy the convenience of e-commerce while protecting your personal and financial information.

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Sources:
https://cadencebank.com/insights-and-articles/personal/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/safe-online-shopping-tips-222301280.html
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/credit-card/advantages-of-online-shopping
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/learning-center/stay-safe-shopping-online

This article is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the article. The article is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes.