Tips for shopping online with your debit card

Shopping online is actually stress-free. All you need to do is have a computer or smartphone, access to good internet connection and your debit card.

You have the freedom to shop till you drop but as stress-free and easy as it looks there are things you need to know and look out for when shopping online, especially when it comes to online payment using your debit card to avoid online scam.

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Here are tips you need to know before shopping online with your debit card.

1. Read the reviews

Before shopping online, make sure you read the reviews of past shoppers and check the ratings given to online shopping platforms.

People might have different experience shopping on an online platform but if so many people have similar views on an online shopping platform then their views are most likely true.

You can check for reviews online or ask people who have shopped on such platform for their experience buying on such platforms.

2. Be on the lookout for the Padlock sign

Before you go ahead to shop on any online platform make sure you check if the sight you are planning to shop on has a padlock.

A protected URL begins with HTTPS://. and has a padlock icon sign at the top left corner of your browser, which is right next to the URL in the address bar while an unsecured URL just has the HTTP://. without an S.

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You need to be on the lookout for that.

Never use your debit card on a website that doesn't have the padlock sign. Such sites are not secure and safe to surf and browse the web.

3. Shop on familiar websites

You need to shop only on reputable shopping websites that you are familiar with. These reputable websites are credible and reliable, they also want to maintain customer loyalty.

Never shop on online websites you are not familiar with. That is a very risky move for your money and finance.

4. Check the return and refund policy

You can make a mistake with an order and might want to return and get a refund for such item. This is why you need to be sure of what you are getting before you order.

You need to be sure if shopping websites have a return and refund policy if what you ordered was not what you got.

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If they don't accept returns, then it means you just wasted money. So shop online with only shopping websites that accept returns.

5. Review your statements frequently

You need to review your statements frequently in case you notice any irregularities with your order and financial transactions.

Then you can notify your bank on such discrepancies.