From clothes, jewelry, groceries to technical devices, almost everything can be bought online and more and more people in BiH are buying online. The eCommerce channel is growing unstoppably, as evidenced by the recorded growth trends. According to traffic statistics processed through the Monri WebPay platform, the number of eCommerce transactions in Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2021 increased by as much as 370%. Online shopping is a safe way to shop, but as the trend of online shopping grows, we are also recording a number of cases of online fraud.
Therefore, the next time you shop online, pay attention to the following:
- Shop only from secure websites
When you visit a website, the URL should start with “https” instead of “http”. The secure website is encrypted, which allows you to complete your purchase and enter your personal and credit card information without being able to “read” it from third parties.
- Create a unique username and password for each account you have
Most online retailers allow you to create an account on their WebShop. Many users create an account to see the status of their orders, order history and facilitate the booking of items. However, for each account you have, be sure to use a unique username and password. Consider this: if you have five accounts for five different merchants, but use the same username / password for each, a potential fraudster gives them access to all your Webshop accounts.
- Do not click on links or images within promotional emails from unknown addresses
Be very careful when, say, you receive an email from a well-known online retailer and they offer a 50% discount on all items in their WebShop. However, before you click on the image or link in the email, it is best to go directly to your web browser and enter the URL of the online merchant. This way you guarantee that you are visiting their secure site. Many hackers use phishing scams where they create fake emails and websites to lure consumers and steal their data.
- If the offer seems too good to be true, it probably is
If you see an offer on a website where the price is reduced by 90%, it is probably a scam. Or, if you see an offer that says, “Like our Facebook page and we’ll give you a free iPhone®!” It’s almost always a scam.
- Never give out your JMBG number
Clear and simple: online merchants do not need your JMBG number to complete a transaction.
- Track activity and run your credit cards
Use digital banking channels and check your credit or debit card activity more often. If your mobile or electronic banking allows it, set limits on a daily basis or amount per transaction. This way, if a thief uses your card for a high amount the transaction will be declined and you will be adequately notified of any unauthorized use.
- Pay attention to shipping costs
Delivery of products to the address is the most common option for picking up goods, although many web stores also offer the possibility of picking up at their physical points of sale. Pay attention to the delivery price declared after you add the item to your cart. It happens that the buyer is not familiar with the delivery costs, so he is unpleasantly surprised when the product arrives at the address. To avoid embarrassing situations, make sure you fully understand the terms of the purchase. Also, read the text written in small font carefully.
- Regularly inform yourself about changes in the conditions of purchase and research
Examine the following:
- Does the merchant have a phone number and / or e-mail address for complaints?
- Are there any deadlines or other restrictions on returning goods or canceling purchases?
- How long has the company been operating?
- Is there a product warranty?
- Are product prices too low to be true?
- Does the page contain a lot of grammatical errors?
Note: This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. The implementation of one or more of these proposals does not guarantee coverage.