The coming months are full of happiness and celebrations. With festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, and New Year, it is common to exchange gifts, buy new clothes, jewellery, and home décor. This is also the time when e-commerce websites are full of bumper discounts, flash sales, and attractive offers, which attract customers. However, ignoring your financial security in this shopping spree can cost you heavily. Let’s pay attention to some important things, so that your budget is not spoiled and you can enjoy the festivals safely.
When the deal is ‘something too good’
This is an old but very useful rule: if a deal seems so great that it is hard to believe, then be careful immediately. Many fraudulent portals offer similar tempting offers. They take money from you in advance, but neither deliver the goods on time nor provide any customer service. Always shop from well-known and trustworthy websites or shops.
Protect yourself from credit card fraud in this way
Credit card fraud cases increase rapidly during festivals. Never share your card details with any shopkeeper or unknown person. If you are shopping online and someone calls you and asks for information like card number, CVV, or OTP, then understand that it is a fake call. Always be alert to such fraudsters.
Do not ignore the security of personal data
Do not share your bank or card information on social media or on unknown websites at all. Many websites collect your personal information and sell it to scammers, which increases the risk of unauthorized transactions from your account. No matter how big an offer anyone gives, never share your bank details.
Do not get lost in the glow of EMI offers
On the occasion of festivals, customers often buy expensive products on EMI offers. Before buying anything on EMI, make sure to check whether the institution offering the offer is a reliable financial institution. If you are confused about your eligibility, confirm by contacting customer care directly. Do not fall for any fake offers.
Special security tips for online shopping
It is very important to keep certain things in mind to keep yourself safe while shopping online. Follow these tips to ensure your financial security:-
Always be alert to avoid credit/debit card fraud, phishing attacks, and fake websites.
Pay attention to the awareness campaigns run by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and other banks.
Set a limit on transactions on all your cards and net banking. This will help you stay on budget and avoid big scams.
Before shopping on any e-commerce site, make sure that the URL of the website starts with “https://”.
RBI has made multi-layer authentication mandatory. Keep a close eye on OTP and notifications on every transaction.
Do not click on any unknown link coming through email or SMS. Use antivirus, firewall, and authentication software on your mobile or computer. This keeps your device safe from malware.