Reduce the risk of falling victim to fraud when you’re buying online by following these simple precautions.
With more money than ever expected to be spent online this Christmas, UK shoppers are being warned to take extra care to avoid falling victim to fraud.
Research from the Interactive Media in Retail Group indicates Brits will use their credit and debit cards to spend 16 per cent more this December at internet retailers than last year.
But a campaign being run by the UK Cards Association, Be Card Smart Online, is highlighting the precautions consumers should take to ensure their financial details are not stolen, and they don’t lose money to bogus retailers.
So before you start this year’s spending spree, take heed of these safety tips:
Protect your computer
Your PC or Mac is the first line of defence against hackers who are trying to steal your card and bank details. So it’s vital to make sure you have the latest anti-virus software, and the most recent version of your internet browser.
You can make life easier for yourself by not clicking on links in suspicious emails – anything that looks too good to be true, or appears to be a picture or video from someone you don’t know, could be some sort of fraud.
Check the seller’s credentials
If you’re dealing with a company you don’t know well or have never heard of, it’s worth being cautious.
Type its name into Google to see what other shoppers have to say about it, and to see where it’s based – it could prove more difficult to deal with overseas-based firms to resolve any problems that may arise.
Also make sure the address you’re using is the right one: fraudsters often make their web addresses look very similar to those of reputable businesses.
And when you’re completing your transaction, check that the padlock symbol appears, normally in the address bar or corner of the browser window. This indicates the site has been approved by an internet-security firm.
Register your cards
If you’re registered with a security system such as Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode, it makes it harder for criminals to use your card if it is stolen or its details are copied.
This is done by asking you for extra security details every time the card is used to make an online purchase.
Check with your bank to see how you sign up.
Extra precautions
Be doubly careful if you’re shopping via a computer that other people have access to: for example in an internet café, library, or at work.
You should always log out from the site you have bought from to ensure no one who subsequently uses the machine has access to your details.
Make sure you save any confirmation details, either by printing out the relevant web page or by saving the confirmation email.
Also note down delivery times or estimates in case you need to claim refunds for good which do not turn up in time for Christmas.
And if something goes wrong?
The banking industry is keen to stress that if you are an innocent victim of fraud, you should not suffer any financial loss – but if you have given details away by responding to a bogus email, it may be hard to argue you are “innocent”.
If a retailer disappears with your money on the other hand, you may be able to get it back from your card provider.
Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act states that lenders are jointly liable with retailers for issues such as goods not turning up, or customers being overcharged. But this only applies to purchases made with a credit card for between £100 and £30,000.
So if you’re buying something for more than £100, it’s worth using your credit rather than debit card – provided you make sure you pay off the debt as soon as possible to avoid interest charges mounting up.
