Safe shopping online

Frequent shoppers can find it difficult to rein in their compulsion to shop, and to give their debit or credit card a rest for a while. We happily key in our card numbers and codes to access special offers for gadgets, trips, or concert tickets. But lurking among all the web shops and payment pages are devious fraudsters and traps to avoid. This guide gives you tips and advice on how to avoid being scammed, and how to stay safe when shopping online.

Card scams

When you think you are keying in your card details on a legitimate page, either to buy a product or service, or at the request of e.g. your bank to verify your account, you could unfortunately be passing on your card details to a fake website that saves the information. Your card can then be used for purchases and payments that are nothing to do with you.

As we shop more and more online, levels of online card fraud are also increasing. If you save your card details in the databases of various companies and payment providers when shopping, all it takes is for one of these sites to be hacked for internet fraudsters to get hold of your card details – and your own antivirus protection is of little help then.

You should also be cautious about entering your card number if you are not totally certain that the site you are shopping on is genuine. By using your search engine to check out the web address on the internet, you can find valuable information that indicates whether or not the site is reputable and offers secure payment.

Phishing

One common kind of fraud is known as phishing, and involves the fraudster trying to get you to disclose personal information by imitating reputable sites. Phishing can happen via emails, text messages, or phone calls.

The sender often claims to be from your bank, an authority, or a reputable company, ironically with the aim of trying to help protect you against an ongoing breach of your accounts, or to transfer money to your account. Remember that reputable banks, authorities or companies will never ask their customers or users to disclose information that could provide access to your private accounts.

If you still feel unsure, you can contact the sender yourself and investigate the situation.

How you can protect your card details

Apart from the obvious fact that you should keep an eye on your card and not let it out of your possession, there are a number of security measures that reduce the risk that a fraudster might get hold of your debit or credit card details online.

Always disable your card for online purchases and international usage

By disabling your card for online purchases and international usage, you effectively prevent criminals from using your card details, even where there is no two-factor authentication. Only activate the card in connection with purchases and withdrawals.

Secure payment

With secure payment, or 3D Secure, you must always verify your purchase using your BankID or a code that is sent by text message. This means that a person who tries to shop using your card details will be unable to complete the purchase without access to your mobile device or BankID. Most reputable e-commerce sites offer their customers secure payment.

Card for online purchases

One good tip for those who shop online regularly is to obtain a card that you use solely for online purchases, to which you only transfer money when you actually intend to buy something. Most banks also offer a kind of lock on the card which, when activated, prevents the card from being used for online payments. Ask your bank which solution they can offer you!

Block the card and notify the police

If you discover unexpected activities of a negative nature on your account, you must immediately block the card and contact your bank. Also follow up on the case by notifying the police, which you will always need for subsequent processes with the bank or insurance company in the event that you have been the victim of a crime.

Are you secure?

• Always disable your card for online purchases and international usage.
• Always double-check the site you are buying from by using your search engine to find the web address and obtain information about the site.
• Do not save your card details on the payment page.
• Buy from sites that offer 3D Secure for secure payment.
• Obtain a special card for online purchases, and do not keep all your money on the card you use for online purchases.
• If you discover withdrawals or payments from your card, you must immediately block it with your bank.
• Ask your bank which measures/services they can offer for secure online shopping.