Online shopping is convenient and the preferred way to shop for a lot of Australians, especially during the Christmas break.
But it comes with a risk.
Cybercriminals often target online shoppers to steal their money or their personal details. They do this through a variety of methods, including setting up fake retailer websites, selling products that don’t exist, asking for personal and payment information they don’t need, and installing malicious software (“malware”) on your device. It is important to be alert and be secure when you are shopping online.
Once a cybercriminal has your financial details and money you are unlikely to get your money back. Not only will you be disappointed your goods never arrived, you will also have lost the money you paid for the goods.
There are many things to think about when using personal devices (e.g. smartphones, tablets, computers and laptops) for online shopping. These are a few security tips to make sure your online shopping experience is secure.
If things go wrong
If you think you’ve been scammed, there is help available. Contact Tudor Insurance and we can help you navigate the uncertainty if you find yourself a victim of a scam.
How to shop online securely
The best way to protect yourself while shopping online is to know how to look for suspicious websites and sellers while boosting your protective security measures. There are many things to be aware of while you shop and after you make a purchase.
To help you prepare, we have put together a checklist of the key advice:
- Shop using secure devices
- Protect your payment information and accounts
- Use trusted sellers
- Know the warning signs
- Use secure payment methods
- Don’t engage, and report suspicious contact
- Watch out for fake delivery scams
- Take additional precautions
Download ASD’s ACSC’s secure online shopping checklist. You can also visit Scamwatch for more information on online shopping scams.
Get in touch with one of Tudor’s trusted brokers to safeguard your family and your business this Christmas holiday.