Technology is constantly changing the way you do things, including shopping for personal or household items. You can order your favorite items from the comfort of your home through platforms like social media or ecommerce stores such as Amazon.
However, with the ease of buying comes the risk of getting conned while shopping online. As a parent, you must protect your child from various online scams, such as not getting what they ordered from a website.
Read on to find out tips on how to protect your child from digital scammers who prey on innocent people online.
Verify the Seller’s Identity
A website is one of the easiest traps online scammers can set for you or your kids because it is easy to trust a site so long as it is self-hosted online.
Unfortunately, not all websites on the internet are credible and there are signs you need to be on the lookout for, such as lack of a precise address or contact number, as they are usually red flags of a possible con.
You can also teach your child how to confirm the credibility of a website using valuable channels such as BBB as they provide you with detailed information, including the location of a company. This is beneficial because a website can have an American or European extension, yet it isn’t from either of these places.
Check the Reviews
Reviews are how consumers get to know more about a business to decide whether they want to transact with it or not.
When a seller lacks a feedback section, or there are no reviews left on their page, it may be a sign that people don’t trust their products or services. If you want to become a better parent, you should go the extra mile to ensure your child knows how to check for legit reviews online to get a clear opinion-based view before buying.
Request for Tagged Photos
Usually, sellers prefer to use photos from the internet to represent items they sell as most of these pictures are of high quality and look more attractive than the real thing. While this isn’t a crime, it is the main reason why people get products different from their expectations after delivery.
Therefore, your child needs to be wise enough to know when to ask for tagged photos of items such as clothes or shoes to avoid later disappointment. This can be a picture of the item with the current date or a paper with their name and address.
When a seller refuses to oblige, it’s better to walk away and look for better options than to take a risk and lose money.
Withhold Too much Information
In the wrong hands, confidential information can ruin your career and life.
Your child must understand that reputable online sellers only ask for credit card details, phone numbers, addresses, and nothing more. You should warn them against giving out sensitive information such as your social security number, mainly if they use your money to purchase their items.
Conclusion
Shopping online is the best experience whenever things go right. However, it can also become a nightmare for your child, who may not know how the digital world operates as they’re still learning the ropes.
Use these tips to educate your child on online safety, especially when making a purchase.
