About 70% of Americans use the internet to shop. Are you one of them?
Many seniors grew up without the internet until mid or late adulthood. Now, when everything is online, it’s tough to shop without it. Online shopping for seniors is a necessity, but it definitely has its quirks.
The internet isn’t without its dangers and risks. Identity fraud and scams are common. We’re here to help you shop safely.
Read on to learn all about internet safety for seniors while shopping.
Use Strong Passwords
When shopping online, you’ll likely need passwords for the websites you visit unless they allow you to shop as a guest. When it comes to internet safety for seniors, our top tip is to use strong passwords on all of these sites so no one else can access your payment information.
Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid easily guessable information such as names or birthdays. If you must use names, combine them in unexpected ways.
Consider using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords so you don’t have to remember them on your own. Don’t give anyone else access to the password manager.
Shop on Trusted Websites
If you can’t find something in a shop in the Voorhees Town Center, you might have to hit the web. That said, you need to make sure you’re shopping from a real online store. Data breaches can happen on any website, but you can almost ensure secure online purchases by choosing a verified site.
Make sure websites have “https” in the URL and a lock icon. Look for any issues with the website name (like misspellings) if you got the site from a link.
Research the site’s reputation through online reviews. Reverse image search some of the product photos to see if they’re available elsewhere for a very different price. This can mean the site is a scam site.
Be Wary of Extremely Low Prices
You know what they say about things that seem too good to be true, right? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. This is especially true on the internet.
Often, you’ll see an awesome “limited-time deal” or a price that seems absurdly affordable for the product in question. While good deals certainly exist, it’s best to remain skeptical so you don’t waste your money and get involved in a scam.
Compare prices across multiple websites. If the item is exclusive to one website, that’s a good sign. It indicates that it hasn’t been dropshipped, and it’s less likely that the photo came from elsewhere.
Be cautious of prices significantly lower than market value. You have a general idea of what things should cost. If something is much cheaper than normal, it’s your job to ask why that may be the case.
Avoid pressure tactics like limited-time sales with timers. Limited sales can be legitimate around holidays, but often they aren’t real sales.
Use Credit Cards with Fraud Protection
When you’re shopping online, it’s best to use credit cards when possible. Debit cards are harder to catch and prevent fraudulent transactions. With a good credit card, your company may even catch the transaction before you do, and the criminal won’t have any access to your bank account.
Choose credit cards with built-in fraud protection. Online fraud prevention can save your financial situation. You can also do chargebacks in the event that you order something and it never arrives, likely meaning the website was fake. This extra protection makes online shopping for seniors safer.
Monitor Your Accounts
One of the top cybersecurity tips for seniors we can offer is to keep track of all of your accounts. At the very least, you should check your bank account and credit card history for anything that doesn’t seem quite right.
Monitor accounts regularly for suspicious activity. It’s a good practice to do this several times per month if possible. Report suspicious transactions immediately, even if you’re not totally certain. It’s better to be safe rather than sorry, and if that means an accidental report every now and again, so be it.
Verify Email Addresses and Phone Numbers
It’s not uncommon to give your email address or phone number to an online retailer. Often, this is just to confirm your identity and establish a way to reach out in the event of any problems with your order.
However, what happens if the business actually reaches out? Perhaps you get a text or email saying there was a problem with your order and a link to click. The link leads to what seems to be the proper site with a sign-in page, so you should sign in to see the problem, right?
Wrong! Check the URL. It’s likely this is a fake site.
Before inputting any information, make absolutely certain it’s the correct site. When in doubt, reach out to customer service by using the contact information on the original site you ordered from.
Ask For Help
When it comes to safe online shopping, there’s no shame in asking for help. The internet is always changing, so it makes sense that you may not be able to keep up with the latest cybersecurity tips for seniors.
Many people find it embarrassing to ask for help, but it’s absolutely okay (and even encouraged) to ask for assistance when you need it. Consider asking younger family members for advice. You can go online shopping together, and you may even be able to find some neat new stores you wouldn’t have found on your own!
Online Shopping for Seniors Can Be Fun and Safe
Shopping online is the new default. Online shopping for seniors doesn’t have to be scary or dangerous. As long as you’re shopping on verified sites, using a credit card with fraud protection, and remaining skeptical of emails and texts, you’ll be on the right track.
Shop your heart out (responsibly). You can find almost anything on the internet!
Are you considering a move to a more supportive environment full of your peers? Do you want to live somewhere with plenty of fun activities and limited responsibilities? Join us at Seaton Voorhees. Schedule a tour of our senior living community today.
