E-Commerce & Safety

There are so many ways to shop online that it is almost impossible to find a person who has not shopped online or who banks online or has received an online payment of some sort. Internet commerce or e-Commerce is the wave of the more scam artists look for ways to steal money and personal information. It is vital to stay vigilant when using conducting e-Commerce transactions.

There are many ways to safeguard your personal information online. First and foremost, never shop at sites that are not major retailers and the official site for that retailer. If you shop at an affiliate site, make sure there is some indication of proof before shopping there. If the store is a member of an advocacy group such as the Better Business Bureau, it can go a long way in resolving any disputes that might arise. According to The Internet Business Site, checking BBB is the premier thing you should do when buying online!

One of the most important things to look for on an e-Commerce web site is the SSL certificate. SSL encryption is the highest level of protection you can expect. It essentially means that the communication between your computer and the web server of the e-Commerce web site is secure. Certification that a third-party scanner to identify vulnerabilities has scanned the web site is another safeguard you should look for. The possibility of attack on that web site and its customer's personal information is minimized in this instance.

Privacy policies should always be read and understood to make sure you understand what happens to the personal information the web site obtains from you. The policies will also line out what happens if you aren't happy with your purchase. If the e-Commerce web site you are dealing with is legitimate, you will likely find a well-rounded return policy. Be wary of any site that does not offer a satisfaction guarantee.

Unfortunately, there are many web sites that are operating as a certain business, but they have no right to do so. Web sites such as this are known as cyber squatters if they include the name of the brand in the actual web address. Be very careful about sites such as these.

Internet scams such as lottery winning emails are still big news. Keep in mind that if you do not remember playing the lottery in Kenya, you probably did not win. Always report these emails as phishing scams to your email provider. Scams that pull at your heartstrings abound as well and you should always check out the information before you believe a word of it. Some stories talk of a dead or dying relative to make you feel sorrow and compassion for the writer, but rest assured, they care nothing of ruining your financial well-being by asking to cash a fraudulent money order and only sending them a "portion" of it.

Any email that asks you for personal information or account information is likely a scam. Be very wary of your regular bank or PayPal, Moneybooker, etc. accounts asking for personal information. If you receive an email from them, call immediately to ascertain the truth.

For more safety tips in the E-Commerce arena, visit ecommerceandpoverty.info