How To Protect Your Personal Information During Online Shopping

Online shopping can be convenient, but it also comes with risks to your personal information. When you make purchases online, you have to provide retailers with sensitive data like your name, address, credit card number and more. This opens you up to potential identity theft and fraud if the retailer experiences a data breach. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to better safeguard your personal details when shopping online.

Remove Your Data from Data Brokers

It’s important to be aware that many retailers sell or share customer data with third-party data brokers. These companies compile profiles of individuals for marketing purposes. You can search for your information and send removal requests to major data brokers like Acxiom and Experian. Monitoring your data with these services helps minimize unwanted marketing contacts. Check these A to Z of opt-out guides to find out how to remove your data from as many as 85 data brokers, or sign up for an automated data broker removal tool instead.

Use Strong and Unique Passwords

One of the best defenses is using strong, unique passwords for every online account. Avoid weak passwords that are easy to guess, like your name, birthdate or the word “password.” Instead, create long passwords with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Using the same password everywhere also makes you vulnerable if one site experiences a breach. Get in the habit of using a different, complex password for each online retailer.

Check for the Secure Lock Symbol

When entering payment information, look for the secure lock symbol in the URL bar. This indicates that the connection is encrypted. Avoid entering credit card details or other sensitive information on sites without the lock. You can also stick to well-known retailers that have secure checkout processes.

Pay with Credit Cards

If possible, use credit cards for online purchases instead of debit cards. Credit cards offer stronger fraud protections under federal law. If you do use a debit card, choose to process it as a credit card to get enhanced security. Avoid linking debit cards directly to payment services like PayPal.

Review Privacy Policies

Take a moment to review a retailer’s privacy policy before providing your information. Look for details on how they collect, use and protect customer data. Avoid retailers with vague policies or overly broad data collection practices. Only give out the minimum amount of information required for your purchase.

Manage Your Passwords

To keep track of unique passwords, use a password manager app. These tools securely store login credentials for all your online accounts. For an added layer of protection, enable two-factor authentication on sites that offer it. This requires a secondary login code from your phone when accessing accounts.

Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi

Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or entering payment information on public Wi-Fi networks. These hotspots are often unsecure and expose your data to eavesdropping by hackers. Only shop or check accounts on private Wi-Fi or cellular data for safety.

Review Credit Card Statements

Routinely check your credit card statements for any suspicious or unfamiliar charges. Report any unauthorized transactions right away to your card issuer. Many will allow you to set purchase alerts for added monitoring. Being vigilant about unusual activity can help identify potential fraud early.

Protecting your personal data when shopping online comes down to being cautious about oversharing, using secure connections and good password hygiene. Taking some basic precautions allows you to enjoy the convenience of online shopping while minimizing your risk.