1. Only shop on encrypted websites: When you are about to enter your financial or personal information on a website, it is essential for you to check security of the site. There are some things to look upon confirmation of a site is secure. The first is that the URL begins with HTTPS, which means https. If the URL begins with HTTPS, then it means that all the information you enter will be encrypted - making it difficult to hack - before it is sent to the company. The second thing to look for is a change in color or close to appear to the right of HTTPS. Most browsers have a feature that reminds you that a website is secure. For example, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox to change the color of the green address bar and add a lock symbol when a site is secure. For more information on how to check the security of the site.
2. Verify the legitimacy of individual sellers: A large number of efficient online shoppers are turning to vendors on Web sites such as eBay or Amazon, for excellent deal on a certain product. While this is a good strategy, it does not always work well for the buyer because sometimes they accidentally buy someone to steal their money and do not send the product. Fortunately, these sites use to criminals, and the services that you can report the theft, but consumers can avoid going through the headache of "doing business" with a thief by simply doing research seller before making their purchase. Almost all websites that host products for individual vendors include some sort of comment or rating for each seller. Look at the ratings the seller and take the time to read reviews. If you see a lot of comments that the person stole the money from the buyer or the buyer never received the product, so that should appear as red flags and it might be a good idea not to buy this seller.
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3. Do not store your financial information at: The "save your payment information "was created by businesses to make it easier for you to buy its products, as well as accelerate the process of checking out. Overall, this full functionality its goal of making people's lives easier, but it also makes their information vulnerable to theft. If someone hacks your account to this shopping website, they have to be able to buy a lot of products in your payment information or they take your personal information and payment details as starting points for theft identity. The thieves then try to puzzle piece together your information until they have enough information to steal your identity completely. So when you are faced with the option to save your payment information on a commercial site, or uncheck the box to save the information or log in to your account after the purchase and delete the information manually.
4. Dedicate a specific credit card for online purchases: This is a technique that most savvy online shoppers use because it is easier to return the product their dissatisfaction, but it is also a crucial step to help protect your identity because it will be easier for you if your information is stolen or hacked from an online shopping website. Instead of having to stress about which card is the right card, you will know exactly which card you have to cancel. Part of this step is to also monitor the charges on your statement very carefully to ensure that no false or fake purchases were charged to your card. In case you find suspicious loads, you should immediately contact your bank to find out more about the charges.
5. Use an Internet security software: Protecting your identity on the Internet is almost impossible without a reliable internet security software. The purpose of this software is to make sure your information is secure when using the Internet, which is why the software includes its own warning system and alerts. For example, if you visit a site that is precarious or false, then the software will warn you of potential danger and, in some cases, block you from the site. You should also watch what Internet security software is best for online shopping than others.
6. Trust your instincts: The last thing you need to remember when you shop online is to trust your instincts. If a website looks strange or seem illegitimate, then it probably is and it will be in your favor not to buy anything from the site. Also remember that you can always report a phishing site Readiness Team United States Computer Emergency email site information to phishing-report@us-cert.gov~~V.
Visit our identity theft protection blog to learn other ways to protect your identity or follow the steps if you think you have been victim of identity theft.