If you're looking for last-minute gifts, you're sure to find something nice online. But if you're in a hurry, you can sometimes make mistakes and fall into the trap of scammers. That's why you should always keep our 6 tips handy when you go shopping online.
1. Use your common sense
Be critical and do not believe in fairy tales. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Beware of products offered at incredible prices and beware of websites where the product is offered at rock bottom prices.
2. Check the web address
In any case, watch out for fake websites. There are criminals who will try to trick you. They do this by subtly changing the spelling or the domain name of the web store.
3. No padlock, no purchase
A good way to check if a website is secure is to see if the url - that's what you type into your browser to surf to a website - starts with https:// and not with http://. The 's' stands for 'secure' or safe.
4. Use trusted wireless networks
Be careful when connecting to free public wifi - a network without a password - outdoors.
5. Keep everything up to date
Make sure your computer and other devices you use to go online, and their operating systems are always up to date.
6. Choose stores with a quality label
Check whether you can find a label on the website which indicates that it is a safe web shop. In Belgium, for example, it is BeCommerce. This label means that official bodies guarantee that the store is safe.
