Many of us are doing our holiday shopping online this year. Here are some tips to help avoid potential issues with your online orders.
First things first
While we do licence certain sectors and enforce certain consumer protection laws in BC, we do not have any authority when it comes to cybersecurity or online scams. We’re sharing the tips below to be helpful and provide general consumer info. Explore our website for more info on which topics we can help you with directly.
5 tips for safe online shopping this holiday season
- Ship to a secure location. Avoid porch-pirate theft and ensure your package will be safe once it’s delivered. Learn more about how to avoid package theft.
- Buy from businesses you trust. Sometimes fake businesses pop up around the holidays (on things like social media) with the goal of gaining access to your credit card information. Play it safe and only buy products or services from business you trust and have shopped with before. Or at least spend the time to confirm it’s a legitimate business by checking reviews and consumer feedback.
- Avoid saving your credit card information on your accounts. This will reduce the risk of credit card fraud in the chance that the business you ordered from is not equipped to keep your personal information secure.
- Shop using a secure Wi-Fi connection. Do not use public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions like banking and online shopping. There could be people lurking around on public networks looking to gain access to your personal information.
- Don’t jump at the lowest price. If the price seems to good to be true, it probably is. Do a little digging and confirm the seller is legitimate, the business is reputable, and ensure you can find good reviews.
Did we miss anything? Share your best online shopping tips in the comments below!
Where to go for more information
If you’re looking for more information and resources about cybersecurity, check out Get Cyber Safe from the Government of Canada. If you are a victim of an online scam, report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
If you’re dealing with a delay after ordering something online, the first step is to contact the business and inquire about the status of your order. If the delay is extensive (more than 30 days after the expected delivery date) you may be within your rights to cancel your order and request a refund. We oversee specific laws for online purchases that offer certain protections in situations where items are severely delayed. Learn more by exploring this post: How to get a refund if your online order never arrives.
Explore our website for more info on which topics we can help you with directly.
Did you like this? You might like these posts too!
How to avoid “porch pirate” theft
How to stay safe and savvy on public Wi-Fi
How to get a refund if your online order never arrives
Shopping online? 5 red flags to watch out for
About Consumer Protection BC
We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca.