With mid-year sales happening left and right, online shopping is just too hard to resist.On the bright side, it's even more convenient amidst the quarantine. On the downside, a virtual swipe of your payment card can potentially expose you to fraud and other data privacy threats.For your online shopping security, here are some tips, plus action items in case you become a victim of fraud.

Tips to Secure Your Online Transactions

Implement these precautionary measures before you add to cart and click "Buy Now."

1. Install an Anti-Malware Software

Malware is the umbrella term for viruses, spyware, and other harmful software. Once they find their way into your computer, you're at risk of stolen sensitive information, such as your passwords and banking details.To prevent this, install an anti-malware program, such as Malwarebytes, Norton, and BitDefender. By doing so, you can protect your computer from attacks that can pose a threat to your security.

2. Stick to Familiar Shopping Sites

Well-known Ecommerce sites like Amazon, Lazada, and Shopee are dominating the online market for a reason. Aside from offering everything under the sun, they have earned the trust of consumers.

So, if you're looking up a specific item on Google, the safest route is to check it first on a familiar shopping site. And to be extra careful, read the domain name and look out for a padlock sign and an HTTPS in the address bar. Cyber criminals can also misspell a trusted site's domain for their benefit.

3. Opt for Your Credit Card, Not Debit Card

Your bank account is linked to your debit card—it's why you should never use it for your online transactions.Go for your credit card instead. Fraudsters can't use it to the extent that they can use your debit card and wipe out your bank account.

4. Avoid Sharing Your Passwords and Card Details

Beware of phishing attempts through email or phone. Never share your shopping site passwords, online banking logins, and card details with anyone. Banks and Ecommerce sites never ask for these sensitive information, so be wary when you encounter inquiries about them. One wrong share of this information can lead to unauthorized purchases.

5. Keep Your OTP to Yourself

A one-time password (OTP) is another security layer sent to your mobile to authenticate a login or an online transaction.If you find yourself receiving an OTP without making a recent transaction or login, don't share it with anyone and immediately change the password of the relevant account.

6. Never Store Your Card Info on Ecommerce Sites

The ability to store your card information on Ecommerce sites is another convenience brought by online shopping. However, this high reward also poses a high risk. Once an individual gets access to your account, they can easily use your card for any purchase on that site.

To prevent a scenario like this, you have two options:

• Don't save your card information on Ecommerce sites.
• Use a strong password for your online shopping accounts.

7. Monitor Your Transactions

Rather than wait for your credit card bill every month, record your online transactions and keep copies of confirmation notices and order numbers.The best way to do this is to enable email notifications for every transaction you make online. Should you receive a message about anything unfamiliar, you can alert your card company immediately.

What to Do if You Become a Victim of Fraud

Say, you follow all precautionary measures against fraud, and you still find yourself becoming a victim of it. Don't panic—you can still do the following to prevent your situation from becoming worse:

1. Notify Your Card Company

Banks in the Philippines have a 24/7 hotline where you can report fraudulent activities. Plus, they can provide you with more details about the unfamiliar transaction.When calling your bank, take note of the reference number and the date and time of the call. These are helpful details should you need to follow up on your case.

2. Take Control of Your Card

One of the immediate actions you can do after falling victim to fraud is to have the card blocked. Banks such as Security Bank and BPI have provided this option to users of their online banking sites.You can also request your bank to block your card while alerting them about the fraudulent activity.

3. Report Unfamiliar Transactions

Here's the part where your record of online transactions comes in handy.Should you encounter any unfamiliar item, you can quickly alert your bank about the transaction.However, if you wait until your credit card statement arrives, you still have at least 30 days to inform your bank about any billing error or discrepancy, according to the Manual of Regulations for Banks.

4. Change Your Passwords and PINs

Finding out that you have compromised accounts means that you need to change your passwords and PINs immediately. Doing so will help prevent more damage to your online activities.When creating your new password, use a password manager with a built-in password generator, such as LastPass and Bitwarden. That way, when you opt for a randomly generated password, you can store it safely in a virtual vault.

Enjoy a Stronger Online Shopping Security

Most people can't resist the temptation of online shopping.However, you can never be too careful while making your transactions online. Cyber criminals are prevalent, especially in the middle of this pandemic. It's best to arm yourself with the tips above to defend yourself from fraudulent activities and strengthen your online shopping security.Must-Read: How to Secure Your Online Space While Working Remotely