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How do you know if the website you’re logging into is secure?
Safety is not only about the padlock next to the address. In order not to fall victim to an attack, you should also pay attention to other elements.
Before you decide to make a purchase:
- Check the history of the store – has it been operating for a short time?
- Does the store have positive feedback from customers? If so, are the opinions reliable, and can they be verified?
- Does the store provide payment through well-known intermediaries, e.g. PayU, P24?
- Will the store allow you to send goods with payment on delivery? And if so, will you be able to check the package on delivery?
- Does the store have bricks & mortar premises? If it gives an address – check if it’s actually the store’s address.
- Is it possible to collect products personally?
- Also, check the available forms of contact – do they have a contact form only or is there also a phone number?
An important element of a store is its Terms & Conditions:
- Is it available to the customer in a visible place?
- Does it contain the company's details and registered address?
- Is the payment information provided? Traditional bank transfer, cash on delivery, online payments.
- Do the Terms and Conditions include a return policy?
- Do they fully explain the complaint process and its conditions?
- Do they cover the security of your personal data and compliance with the GDPR?
Opinions and comments are important, but...
- Try to verify the credibility of the reviews published.
- Look for ratings of the store in various places, including trusted websites such as Ceneo.
- Leave a comment after completing the transaction – other customers will find it helpful.
- Remember that people are far more likely to share negative rather than positive feedback.
- The comment you publish should only focus on the facts. False or defamatory opinions about sellers can be prosecuted by law.
You have the above rights when you buy a product from a company. It's worth thinking about where you want to buy before you buy, as well as checking whether:
What if you come across a problem while making your purchase?
- Inform the website administrators indicating all the circumstances in detail. Not every problem must be the seller’s fault.
- Check your chances of recovering money from the administrator of the website you’re using.
- If you paid by card, you can use the chargeback procedure. Contact your bank about it.
What if you have been scammed when making a purchase outside the e-commerce platform, e.g. buying a product directly from the seller, in an online store?
- Prepare all information that will help the police to clarify the matter, i.e. proof of payment, the seller's name, address, and phone number, as well as a printout of the offer or advertisement, but also printouts of e-mail or SMS correspondence.
- Take your identity card with you.
- Go to the nearest police station to report a possible crime committed by the seller!
