• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives
  • 100 Words

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

4 Online Shopping Mistakes You’re Making and How to Avoid Them

By Corazon Gritar

Shopping online is a convenient way to get the products you want. Instead of having to go to the store, you can have them delivered right to your home. However, there are certain precautions you need to take when shopping online or you might end up in trouble. Here are some common online shopping mistakes and how to avoid them:

1. Not Checking If a Website Is Legitimate

If you’re searching for a particular product, you might look it up on Google. Among the results, you might find a shop you don’t recognize. However, if the price is right, you might put aside your apprehension and order the item from there anyway. The next thing you know, your credit card has been compromised and you aren’t ordering the thing you wanted.

To avoid this situation, you should research any site you might use before you opt to buy from there. Make sure that they have the right security standards for an online shop. For a modern enterprise, data transmission and storage security are essential. They’re saving private financial and personal information on their server, so it needs to be safe. Look at reviews from other customers and check the website’s credentials before you put in any personal information.

2. Not Using Online Coupons

Often, shopping online is cheaper than going to the store. Whether it’s because there’s less overhead for the business or simply because you can do more research, this is appealing to shoppers on a budget. However, you might order the item you want at a price that could still be lower. This is because you forgot about online coupons.

If you want to avoid this and get the best possible price, look for online coupons for each shopping situation. The website you’re on might have them. You may also be able to sign up for a mailing list or membership that offers discounts. You can also find a server that collects coupon codes and try them out. Even if you can’t always use a coupon, doing some extra searching can save you a lot of money.

3. Using a Public WiFi Connection

If you’re not at home, but want to do some shopping, you may connect your laptop to a public WiFi connection in order to do so. You get your computer on the network, then begin shopping. After a little while, you put your credit card information in and buy the product. But then your credit card is stolen because the WiFi wasn’t secure enough to prevent someone from accessing it.

To avoid this, you should always use a locked WiFi connection when you’re shopping. To be safest, shop online on your home network. Since access to the server requires a password, you know that nobody is going to access it without permission. If you’re not at home, make sure that the WiFi connection you’re using is secure before you put in any personal information.

4. Clicking Unknown Email Links

You get an email that appears to be from a favorite store and they’re offering a discount. Excited for the discount, you click the link they provided and put in your financial information. It is then immediately stolen because the link and the email were not actually from the store.

Avoid this situation by never clicking on links from an unknown email address. If you get an email from a store offering this kind of link, make sure the email is legitimate before clicking anything. This will save you a lot of trouble in the future.

Shopping online is very convenient, but it does have its risks. As long as you protect yourself and your information, you can minimize these potential problems and enjoy the benefits of online shopping.

Photo Credit: stock photo

December 19, 2022

The Question of the Week:

If the government eliminates cash, to what degree will that impact your freedom?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • Black Coffee: Par for the Course
  • The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 7
  • Three Reasons Why Credit Unions Are a Great Choice for a Car Loan
  • Bad Habits That Make You a Target of Credit Card Fraud
  • Lessons In Tax Law: Why You Should Never Try To Bribe The IRS
  • Why Paying Off the Mortgage Early May Be a Big Mistake
  • Black Coffee: Welcome to the Fun House
  • A Georgia Teacher Shows Why It Always Pays to Read the Fine Print
  • Why Extended Warranties Sometimes Do Make Sense
  • 10 Ways to Get the Most from Your Next Business Conference

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 40,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. Scientists Say This Clever Trick Can Help You Break Your Overspending Habit
  2. 2. 4 Online Shopping Mistakes You’re Making and How to Avoid Them
  3. 3. When Is the Right Time to Use Your Wealth Insurance (Gold & Silver)?
  4. 4. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m Not Lending You the Money
  5. 5. Home Repair Scams: Here Are the 9 Biggest
  6. 6. Trying to Save Money on Gas? Here’s Proof That Driving Out of Your Way Rarely Helps
  7. 7. How I Fought My Parking Ticket and Beat City Hall
  8. 8. Are You Frugal or Cheap? Here’s How to Know the Difference
  9. 9. Historical Gold & Silver Benchmarks for Wages and Commodities
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2023 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2023