We live in convenient times, when the purchase you need is just a few clicks away from the comfort of home. These days, you can buy pretty much anything online. Let's take a closer look at how to shop safely and protect yourself from scammers.
Safe online shopping – why does it matter?
We tend to think we can safely enter our card details or other personal information anywhere, but we have to face the reality that the internet is a global space where not everyone is honest. Online shopping security is something we, as everyday computer and internet users, need to invest in. Scammers are everywhere, and you need to be especially careful when sharing your card details — otherwise you could lose all your money and even become a victim of identity theft. Safe online shopping comes down to being informed. Let's talk about how to shop safely online and how to stay safe while doing it.
Choose trusted websites and payment methods
When browsing and choosing products at a foreign online store or one of our own local online stores, always make sure the store is trustworthy from a security standpoint. If you have doubts about a store's security, always check reviews of it, see whether anyone has raised doubts about its security or authenticity, or ask friends and acquaintances whether they've had experience with the store and what they think of it. You can find trusted opinions on sites like Google or Trustpilot, but of course, it's best to rely on the experience of people close to you. Trusted payment solutions also help build a site's credibility. It's unlikely that large, reputable financial institutions would let their name be used on a fraudulent site, since reputation comes hand in hand with security, and that's the last thing scammers want. If you see well-established financial companies among the payment options, you can be confident your money is safe.
Check out our ESTO Pay Later payment solution.
What are safe payment methods?
E-commerce payment methods play an important role in ensuring security. How do you shop safely online, so your data and money are protected and your products are delivered securely? By checking the online payment methods available! Below is a list of payment methods known and trusted around the world:
● Credit card companies – VISA and MasterCard are widely used and trusted worldwide.
● Reputable local and foreign banks – if you see the logos of reputable banks, that's a sign you're dealing with a trustworthy party. Look closely at the logo to make sure it's authentic, and always confirm the bank's website is genuine!
● E-wallets – e-wallets are extremely popular these days, with the best known being Skrill, Paysera, and PayPal. These are also trusted e-wallets that keep customers secure.
● "Buy now, pay later" checkout solutions – many companies offer the option to pay for their products later, and one of the most popular in the Baltics is ESTO, whose website you can find here: https://esto.eu/lv. Choose the payment method that suits you, place your order in just a few clicks, and pay for your products with confidence.
If you follow these tips and always check things carefully whenever you have even the smallest doubt, you can be confident your money and data are safe. As the saying goes, "measure seven times, cut once." The internet is full of opportunities, but also threats, and given the sheer volume of information out there, every piece of it needs to be evaluated critically.