The success of the 11.11 and 12.12 sales events of both Shopee and Lazada is proof that more and more Filipinos prefer to shop online. They would rather do this in the comfort of their homes than brave the city traffic.
Unfortunately, online shopping, while convenient, comes with its own risks. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves. Thankfully, all we need is a bit of common sense and sound judgement, and we’ll be better equipped against fraud and identity theft.
Here are 10 tips to remember while shopping online.
- Use strong and secure passwords that are complex and long. Use a mix of capital letters, special characters, and numbers when crafting your passwords. Use different passwords for different sites, and never share them with others.
- Use two-factor authentication when available. This makes your account more secure, even if your password has been compromised.
- Only shop on secure and reputable websites. Make sure the site has an address that starts with “https” instead of “http.” The “s” stands for secure. You should also see a padlock icon on the address bar.
- Avoid using public/free Wi-Fi for online transactions. Never shop, pay bills, or access your online banking accounts while connected to public or free Wi-Fi. Better yet, don’t connect to one and always, always use a secure connection.
- Always log out of bank, merchant, and online shopping sites after completing your transactions.Never allow your browser to store banking or vendor site usernames and passwords. To be extra safe, clear your browsing history once you’re done.
- Use only one credit card for online transactions. This way, you can limit your exposure to online fraud and other malicious activities. If possible, use debit or prepaid cards.
- If possible, use mobile e-wallets or third-party pay services such as PayMaya, GCash, or PayPal for online transactions. These will also limit your exposure to fraud. These services also offer more secure transactions.
- Keep records of purchases made online. Make it a habit to keep records of online purchases and compare them with your credit card and bank statements. Report any suspicious activities to your bank.
- Update your web browser. Updated browsers will have the latest encryption technology to protect your data as it moves around the web. It will also have patches and security updates against vulnerabilities.
- Update your anti-virus software. This ensures your computer is protected from viruses and malware that can possibly see and record your online activities.
Did you know that you can now instantly transfer funds to another bank account or reload your PayMaya and GCash e-wallets anywhere you may be?
instaPay lets you securely send or transfer money from your peso bank account or e-wallet using your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Simply access your bank’s or electronic money issuer’s mobile app or through Internet banking anytime, anywhere you may be. The recipient instantly receives the money in his bank account or e-money account, without any charges deducted.
The maximum amount that can be sent is PHP50,000 per transaction. There is no limit to the number of transactions you can make in a day. You will be charged a fixed sending fee, regardless of the amount or where it is sent.
Electronic payment network BancNet is the clearing switch operator of instaPay. It has 120 members including banks, affiliate switch networks, and e-money issuers.
Ask your bank now if they offer instaPay.
