According to statistics, Australians belong to the demographic most keen on online shopping. Buying things over the web has proven to be a popular and more affordable alternative to real-life shopping. You can order food, make reservations for restaurants, and do online shoe shopping without even getting up from your seat.
Part of online shopping’s popularity stems from its convenience. It is convenient because it allows shoppers to buy the things they want without leaving the comfort of their home. Did you know, however, that people lose millions of dollar each year to scams?
Based on the World Internet Project released in 2011, 78 per cent of online shoppers bought items like shoes and clothing online each month in Australia alone. A smaller demographic of online shoppers even buys things at least once a week! This statistic is higher than in the United States and Europe, which also means that Australians are more vulnerable to online fraud.
Each day, many shoppers lose money thanks to fake online classified ads for shoes, gadgets, and more. Let’s say you’re going online to find a pair of shoes. What can you do to avoid being the next victim? Listed below are a few tips that could help.
Be Wary
Are you eager to buy something from an online shoe store with absurdly low prices? Think twice before doing that. When things seem too good to be true, they probably are. According to the ACCC, classified scam ads tend to display products at significantly lower prices than anywhere else, prompting many buyers to flock to them.
Verify the Seller’s Reputation and Identity
Know whom you’re buying from. The Internet is your best friend when it comes to these things, so don’t hesitate to check references and search for customer feedback online. You can surely find references, product reviews, comments, and positive feedback from former customers when the seller is legitimate.
Take Note of the Site’s Security
Make sure you are buying from a secure site. One of the most common indications of a secure site is a padlock symbol in the browser bar. Look at the forms —get out of there if the seller is asking for too much personal information.
Keep Your Anti-virus and Anti-spyware Updated
Some scams don’t actually involve money. Some online scammers only want to gain access to your valuable personal information through spam emails and spam sites. Always be wary of opening emails and sites, especially if there are warning pop-ups or if the email lands in your spam folder.
Check the Domain Register Data
The newer the domain is, the more suspicious the business. Good companies tend to last, and longevity is a key indicator to trustworthiness. You can use online tools to check. These can help you find out a site’s age, business address, and registered name. The more details there are, the more reputable the site is.
Check the Payment Options
Websites or online sellers who offer PayPal as a payment option are usually safe. PayPal provides good buyer protection. You can initiate a dispute and get a full refund if you order shoes online and don’t receive them within 45 days.
The steps above will help you gradually turn into an internet-savvy online shopper and avoid getting into fraudulent deals. Go to this website to view an example of an excellent and legitimate online shoe-shopping site.
Part of online shopping’s popularity stems from its convenience. It is convenient because it allows shoppers to buy the things they want without leaving the comfort of their home. Did you know, however, that people lose millions of dollar each year to scams?
Based on the World Internet Project released in 2011, 78 per cent of online shoppers bought items like shoes and clothing online each month in Australia alone. A smaller demographic of online shoppers even buys things at least once a week! This statistic is higher than in the United States and Europe, which also means that Australians are more vulnerable to online fraud.
Each day, many shoppers lose money thanks to fake online classified ads for shoes, gadgets, and more. Let’s say you’re going online to find a pair of shoes. What can you do to avoid being the next victim? Listed below are a few tips that could help.
Be Wary
Are you eager to buy something from an online shoe store with absurdly low prices? Think twice before doing that. When things seem too good to be true, they probably are. According to the ACCC, classified scam ads tend to display products at significantly lower prices than anywhere else, prompting many buyers to flock to them.
Verify the Seller’s Reputation and Identity
Know whom you’re buying from. The Internet is your best friend when it comes to these things, so don’t hesitate to check references and search for customer feedback online. You can surely find references, product reviews, comments, and positive feedback from former customers when the seller is legitimate.
Take Note of the Site’s Security
Make sure you are buying from a secure site. One of the most common indications of a secure site is a padlock symbol in the browser bar. Look at the forms —get out of there if the seller is asking for too much personal information.
Keep Your Anti-virus and Anti-spyware Updated
Some scams don’t actually involve money. Some online scammers only want to gain access to your valuable personal information through spam emails and spam sites. Always be wary of opening emails and sites, especially if there are warning pop-ups or if the email lands in your spam folder.
Check the Domain Register Data
The newer the domain is, the more suspicious the business. Good companies tend to last, and longevity is a key indicator to trustworthiness. You can use online tools to check. These can help you find out a site’s age, business address, and registered name. The more details there are, the more reputable the site is.
Check the Payment Options
Websites or online sellers who offer PayPal as a payment option are usually safe. PayPal provides good buyer protection. You can initiate a dispute and get a full refund if you order shoes online and don’t receive them within 45 days.
The steps above will help you gradually turn into an internet-savvy online shopper and avoid getting into fraudulent deals. Go to this website to view an example of an excellent and legitimate online shoe-shopping site.
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