The outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected virtually every facet of human endeavour in every part of our planet.
Sporting events are being postponed or outrightly cancelled, schools are being shut down, social gatherings outlawed, stock markets are crashing, Civil Service winding up gradually, countries are virtually shutting down by halting public, economic activities, some are in total lockdown, all in coordinated efforts to contain the pandemic.
Recently, a WHO conference on COVID-19 was canceled because of COVID-19. Simply put, human contact is now dangerous and consciously discouraged as a precautionary measure to curtail the spread of the virus.
At a time like this, avoiding places that expose you to avoidable human contact such as open market, malls, banks, restaurants or canteens popularly called ‘Buka’ and even ATM spots, is top of the safety advisory list. Alternatives to carrying out these day-to-day activities without human contact are highly sought after.
Few days ago, The Wall Street Journal reported that grocery stores cannot meet the demands of people and more importantly worry about the health risk that now comes with shopping in physical stores.
The good news is that online marketplace now exists for most of these services in Nigeria. For those yet to embrace e-commerce innovations, these are times to consider the option.
There’s every reason in the world to shop online. The bargains are there. The selection is mind-boggling. The shopping is secure. Shipping is fast. Even returns are easy, with the right e-tailers. Shopping has never been easier or more convenient for consumers.
However, this is not to say there are no risks associated with shopping online. But Stay calm. While Despite the risk, you can record a fraud free only transaction throughout this COVID-19 period and beyond if you follow practical advice. Here are basic guidelines; use them and you can shop with confidence as you check off items on your compulsory COVID-19 holiday shopping list.
Platforms like Jumia, Jiji, Konga, and the rest provide veritable options to visit a brick and mortar store or mall. Interestingly, these platforms are expanding beyond just online stores to online malls.
- Use familiar websites
Start at a trusted site. Search results can be rigged to lead you astray, especially when you drift past the first few pages of links. If you know the site, chances are it’s less likely to be a rip-off.
Beware of misspellings or sites using a different top-level domain (.net instead of .com, for example)—those are the oldest tricks in the book. Yes, sales on these sites might look enticing, but that’s how they trick you into giving up your info.
- Look for the Lock
Never ever, ever buy anything online using your credit card from a site that doesn’t have SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption installed—at the very least. You’ll know if the site has SSL because the URL for the site will start with HTTPS—instead of just HTTP. An icon of a locked padlock () will appear, typically to the left of the URL in the address bar or the status bar down below; it depends on your browser.
HTTPS is pretty standard now even on non-shopping sites, enough that Google Chrome flags any page without the extra S as “not secure.” So a site without it should stand out even more.
3. Don’t overshare
No online shopping e-tailer needs your phone number or your birthday to do business. However, if crooks get them and your credit card number, they can do a lot of damage. The more scammers know, the easier it is to steal your identity. When possible, default to giving up as little personal data as possible. Even major sites get breached.
4. Check Statements Regularly
Don’t wait for your bill to come at the end of the month. Go online regularly especially during this compulsory holiday season and look at electronic statements of your spendings via your credit card, debit card, and checking accounts. Look for any fraudulent charges, even originating from your bank, retailing store and even payment sites like PayPal if you happen to do international transactions. (After all, there’s more than one way to get to your money.)
If you see something wrong, pick up the phone to address the matter quickly. Most times you are given a 30-day window to notify the bank or card issuer of problems, however; after that, you might be liable for the charges anyway.
5. Inoculate Your Computer
Swindlers don’t sit around waiting for you to give them data; sometimes they give you a little something extra to help things along. You need to protect against malware with regular updates to your antivirus program.
Better yet, pay for a full-blown security suite, which will have antivirus software, but also will fight spam, spear-phishing emails, and phishing attacks from websites (the latter two try and still your personal info by mimicking a message or site that looks legit). Remember, it’s not enough to just have it installed. Make sure your anti-malware tools are always up to date. Otherwise, they can let in any new threats—and of course there are always new threats.
6. Privatize Your Wi-Fi
If you’re shopping via a public hotspot, stick to known networks, even if they’re free. If there is no public Wi-Fi around and you are using yours be sure to privatize it. If you trust people enough, you can input your password on their device.
7. Avoid Public Terminals
What about using your own laptop to shop while you’re out? It’s one thing to hand over a debit card to get swiped at the checkout, but when you have to enter the credit card number and expiration date on a website while sitting in a public cafe, you’re giving an over-the-shoulder snooper plenty of time to see the goods. At the very least, think like a gangster: Sit in the back, facing the door. And use sites that you trust that already have your debit card stored, so you don’t have to repeat the everyday tradition of inputting the details while an unsuspecting fellow close to you steals the details.
8. Create Strong Passwords
You can never overemphasize the importance of a strong password. This is because hackers and fraudsters are perfecting their game and can easily guess some simple passwords. (i.e. those combining date of birth, phone numbers, etc.) It’s never more important than when banking and shopping online. But even your perfect password isn’t perfect. The smarter move: use a password manager to create uncrackable passwords for you. It’ll also keep track of them and enter them, so you don’t have to think about it.
9. Think Mobile
There’s no real need to be any more nervous about shopping on a mobile device than online. Simply use apps provided directly by the retailers, like Jumia, Konga, etc. Use the apps to find what you want and then make the purchase directly, without going to the store or the website.
10. Skip the Card, Use the Phone
Paying for items using your smartphone is pretty standard these days in brick-and-mortar stores, and is actually even more secure than using your credit card. Using a mobile payment app like Apple Pay generates a one-use authentication code for the purchase that no one else could ever steal and use. Plus, you’re avoiding card skimmers—hell, you don’t even need to take your credit card with you if you only go places that accept phone payments. How does that matter if you’re online shopping?
11. Check the Seller
If you’re wary of a site, perform your due-diligence. Google are full of retailer reviews. Put companies through the wringer before you plunk down your card details. There’s a reason that non-delivery/non-payment is the most common cybercrime complaint these days: it hurts when that happens, financially and emotionally.
That said—online reviews can also be gamed. If you see nothing but positive feedback and can’t tell if the writers are legitimate customers, follow your instincts.
If nothing else, make absolutely sure you’ve got a concrete address and a working phone number for the seller. If things go bad, you have a place to take your complaint. In fact, call them before you order so you can clarify a return policy and where to go with any issues after the purchase.
12. Complain Loud, Clear and Proud
No matter how fast the world changes, ‘customers are kings and always right.’ Don’t be embarrassed if you get taken for a ride while online shopping. Instead, get very, very mad. Complain to the seller. Oftentimes, localize your transactions. This way the authorities can help track whoever is playing a fast one on you. If you’re going to get scammed, try to get scammed locally… or at least domestically.