Online shopping has become a commonplace method of purchasing goods and gifts for many people, but with convenience comes increased risks. Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, making it essential to understand how to safeguard your finances and personal information.
To avoid falling prey to fraudsters while shopping online, adhere to these simple yet effective guidelines:
Opt for cash on delivery. Scammers often sell non-existent products at attractive prices. Their goal is to secure advance payment and vanish with your money.
Check prices across the market. Malefactors create fake pages of popular stores and offer "exclusive" discounts. If a deal seems too good to be true compared to other sellers, it’s worth reconsidering.
Verify links carefully. Avoid clicking on suspicious links from emails, social media, or messaging apps. Scammers create phishing sites that visually mimic legitimate stores. Pay attention to the URL—any slight variation may indicate a forgery. Also, ensure the secure protocol https is present at the beginning of the URL.
Never enter payment details on unfamiliar sites. Before making a payment, check the store's reputation by reading reviews and searching for information on independent resources. If the platform offers payment after receiving the product, take advantage of that option.
Never share your card details with third parties. Your card number, CVV code, and one-time confirmation codes are keys to your funds. Bank representatives will never ask for this information.
Use a separate card for online transactions. Refill it just before making a purchase to minimize the risk of losing money in case your information is compromised.
Ensure that 3D Secure is activated. This technology provides an extra layer of verification during online payments. However, the store must support it—if the platform doesn’t require payment confirmation, this could be a warning sign.
Avoid making payments through public Wi-Fi networks. Open networks can be compromised, allowing criminals to intercept confidential information.
Check QR codes in public places. Criminals may place QR codes leading to fake websites. Verify the URL after scanning and avoid QR codes from unknown sources.
Additional recommendations for payment security can be found on the website of the National Bank.
Stay cautious, and your online shopping experience will be safe!
Department of Cyber Police of the National Police of Ukraine
