With the proliferation of online shopping, lots of people are trying to scam you out of your money or steal your card details. Thankfully, if you follow a few simple rules you can have a safe and secure online shopping experience.
The uptake of e-commerce in Kenya has been massive and
admirable with most companies recording double-digit growth and hyper-sales
even in their first year of operation – but online shopping for some people is
still something they mull over.
Most retailers and brands have moved to establish virtual
shops on some E-commerce company websites to bridge the gap between offline and
online and maximize sales.
But as the popularity of online shopping increases, so do
the risks. Lots of people and hackers are trying to scam you out of your money
or steal your card details. Thankfully, if you follow a few simple rules you
can have a safe and secure online shopping experience.
Here are 10 tips to help you.
- Use
the best anti-malware program on your computer
Make sure you are using the best anti-malware program and
its virus signatures are constantly updated. Also, ensure your firewall is on
when using a public wireless network and your own wireless network is encrypted
with a password to prevent anyone outside from collecting information.
- Shop
from online merchants with a good reputation
Ensure you know the online store’s physical
address and you can walk into their office if there is a problem to be sorted.
If you have friends who have purchased from the site before,
you can be reassured by their trust too.
If the store is new, or not reputable conduct your own
research by looking at the site’s reviews, customer complaints on social media
pages also, ask around. If no one knows about it, don’t use it.
- Avoid
clicking on links from spam emails to make purchases
It’s a bad idea to click on an email sent to you from
someone you don’t know and shop on its landing page. Ensure you know the
retailer’s website and key in the search words for yourself.
- Create
a unique/strong password for online account
You will be required to create an account with the site you
intend to purchase from. Make sure the password is strong and unique, passwords
like 1234 or those that start with a short form of your name like Ken1234
should be avoided.
- Avoid
‘Extremely good offers’
If a store offers too good deals like extremely low prices,
be suspicious. During mega sales/flash sales, most eCommerce sites will offer
‘incredible’ discounts but just for a limited quantity of products and time.
Also, look for discount coupon codes that can significantly
lower your purchasing price.
- Don’t give
too much information
After opening an account with an e-commerce company, expect
to give the same information in future purchases e.g. telephone number, email
address, shipping address, method of payment.
If asked for suspicious information like bank account
details, driver’s license numbers, spouse or family information. Run!!!!
- Check
the company’s shipping, warranty, and return policy
Ensure the shipping fee charged is reasonable for the
product you buy and the distance. The return and exchange policy should be
flexible with a time limit of at least 7 days. Be sure that the warranty policy
is sensible and applicable.
- Use
a reputable method of payment to pay for products
Some E-commerce sites will offer cash-on-delivery payment
methods within certain geographical locations, if you are beyond those regions,
use payment methods that provide you proof of payment like mobile money
transfer, PayPal, credit cards, etc.
Credit card vs Debit card– a credit card will have a
spending limit while your debit card –linked to your bank account does not. If
your credit card financial information is stolen, your money at the bank
remains untouched- most debit cards do not offer this advantage.
- Print
or save a copy of your orders
It’s advisable to keep documentation of
your online purchases. You will receive a confirmation email with the
order number. Print, take a screenshot, and save till you receive the product.
Follow up if the item is not shipped within 10 days without prior
communication.
- Download shopping
apps created by trusted developers
Many of the big online retailers in Kenya have created apps that allow you to shop conveniently and compare prices, read reviews on your smartphone or tablet. Ensure you download the legitimate app and have a mobile anti-malware for viruses and spyware.
Tips for card security
Using your Visa card to pay for things is a safer and convenient way to shop, but there are a few things you can do to safeguard your details. Fraudsters will stop at nothing to get your personal information and card data. Their scams can be clever, but not clever enough if you know how they work and how to avoid them. Here are some tips on how you can keep your personal and card information safe and out of the hands of fraudsters.
Using Your Card Securely
- Always
know where your card is at all times
- Never
write down your Personal Identification Number (PIN)-memorize it
- Never
disclose your PIN to anyone
- Do not
choose numbers and letters that can be easily identified when selecting a
PIN (e.g. avoid using initials, phone numbers, or birth dates)
- Ensure
you sign your card on the signature panel as soon you receive it
- Make a
record of card account numbers and telephone numbers for reporting lost or
stolen cards and keep this list in a safe place
- Store important documents securely and shred all personal and financial information (e.g., bank statements, credit/ATM receipts, credit card offers, credit card bills, etc.) before you throw them away
Retail and ATM
Accepted across the world, more convenient and safer than
cash, payment cards have transformed how we shop and bank. Our investment in
Chip and PIN technology has had a significant impact on securing face to face
transactions and in reducing counterfeit fraud. But fraudsters may try to steal
your card information and use it for unauthorized charges. Make sure you make
these transactions in ways that reduce your risk of fraud.
- Be
aware of your surroundings
- Review
receipts before you sign
- When
entering your PIN at the ATM, always make sure to cover the keypad using
your free hand
- Guard
your PIN from fraudster “shoulder surfing”
- Sign
up for email/SMS "transaction alerts" from your bank
- Keep
copies of ATM and sales receipts for your records and regularly
monitor your accounts for any unusual card activity
- When in a hotel or a restaurant for example, never lose eye contact with your card. New generations of wireless POS can be used right at your table in front of you
Online
From spyware to dodgy merchants, the threat of online fraud
is real, but you are the best line of defense. The key to combating online
fraud is knowing what threats exist and taking easy steps to beat them.
- Activate
Verified by Visa for added security
- Keep
your software and virus protection up to date on your computer and devices
- Create
strong passwords
- Ignore
emails from senders you don’t know
- Download
files only from sites you know
- Sign up for email/SMS "transaction alerts" from your bank to keep track of your purchases
Mobile
Mobile technology is everywhere. It is changing how we
communicate, how we do business, and how we access our personal and
professional lives. But we need to remind ourselves to stay safe when using our
mobiles.
- Protect
the devices you use both physically and with passwords/PIN codes
- Sensitive
account information should never be stored on your mobile device
- Be aware of your surroundings—don't loudly read your details in a public environment
Email phishing scams try to trick you into revealing credit
card numbers, PIN, bank account passwords or other private information. Most
phishing starts as an email that links to a fake Internet site that looks like
the real thing with familiar logos and graphics, but it is not. When you enter
personal information on such sites, it gets sent to fraudsters.
- Consider
all email requests for personal information to be suspicious
- Visa
never calls or writes cardholders for personal account information
- Do not
respond to such emails or enter information on questionable websites
- Check
the legitimacy of the enquiry by contacting the number on the back of your
card
- Report suspicious emails claiming to be from Visa to phishing@visa.com
Using your card whilst abroad
- Avoid
leaving cards unattended, in a hotel room, public areas, or in a locked or
unlocked vehicle
- Take
advantage of the safe or security box provided by the hotel for your
valuables
- Save all of your receipts for proof of purchase. And when you get home, carefully check them against your monthly statements
And, in case your card is lost or stolen
Immediately contact your bank if your card gets lost,
stolen, retained by an ATM, or you suspect that someone might have obtained
your PIN.