Online shopping was once considered a novel and expensive experience compared to buying goods in a brick-and-mortar establishment, but this is no longer the case in the era of smartphones, ecommerce websites, and third-party logistics providers with large international networks. Nowadays, online shopping—even for international items that are several continents away—is more or less a breeze. It’s possible to shop for all kinds of imported goods, all without waiting several months or spending an exorbitant amount, thanks to the rise of ecommerce platforms, international shipping providers, and pasabuy groups on social media.

But while it’s generally easier to choose, pay for, and wait for your goods than it was a couple of decades ago, not all shopping experiences done over the Internet are problem-free. It’s still possible for shoppers to get scammed, get their money stolen, or deal with other issues related to their privacy and security. That’s why it remains in your best interest to be careful about which services you use and to who you entrust your purchases, especially if it involves high-value imported goods.

Below are five tips for ensuring that you have a safe, private, and trouble-free online shopping experience. These should come in handy when you’re looking for a new pasabuy group or service that facilitates international shipping to the Philippines.

5 Tips to Ensure a Safe Online Shopping Experience

1. Find Customer Reviews and Other Proof of a Reliable Service

When it comes to vetting new service providers for shipping international goods, you’ll get the best leads from customer reviews, testimonials, and other info that serves as proof of shipment. Take some time to scroll through the provider’s website or social media page for feedback from previous customers, as well as posts or photo albums documenting previous batches of successful deliveries.

Are there enough testimonies from real customers who can happily vouch for the service? Is there ample proof that the providers have successfully facilitated international deliveries before? Moreover, does the provider seem conscientious about addressing feedback and updating customers about potential problems? If so, then you may safely proceed to checkout without worrying that you’ll get scammed.

2. Make Sure the Website You’re Ordering from is a Legitimate One

Another thing you’ll have to pay attention to when shopping online is the legitimacy of the website you’re on. Hackers, phishers, and other bad actors often create fake counterparts of legitimate websites to funnel money and private information their way.

To tell a real ecommerce or logistics website apart from a fake one, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does the website match the details provided by the service on their other official accounts, like their social media page?
  • Does the domain name of the website actually match the business name and the territory it primarily operates in?
  • Does it have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate to assure customers that their info won’t be intercepted by hackers?
  • Is the website coherent and thoughtfully designed, or is it rife with janky web design issues and disorganized, poorly written content?

The answers to these questions should give you perspective on whether the website you’re on is trustworthy.

3. Always Order Items Using a Secure Connection

You should also make sure that any action you take while shopping online is done on a secure connection, whether that’s registering your account details or paying upon checkout. This may already seem like standard practice, but too many shoppers still fall prey to malware or the wiles of hackers because they transacted using an unsecured connection.

Only shop in an environment where you’re guaranteed a secure, encrypted connection with all the necessary firewalls up, for example at home. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks while shopping, as this can make it easier for a stranger to access your personal and financial details.

4. Use Strong and Original Passwords for Your Online Shopping and Logistics Accounts

If you’re required to register for an account on a particular ecommerce platform or international shipping website, don’t forget to craft a strong, original password that a hacker or phisher won’t be able to guess.

Though your password should be easy for you to remember, don’t choose one that would be obvious to an outsider as well. Don’t use the word “password” as a password (a woefully common mistake among shoppers), and don’t include your birth year or birthday in case a hacker already knows that info.

5. Designate a Credit Card or e-Wallet for Online Shopping

Lastly, it’s also good practice to designate just one credit card or e-wallet as your go-to mode of payment for all things related to online shopping. On top of making it easier for you to keep track of your shopping and shipping payments, this strategy also decreases the amount of exposure a malicious agent may have to your financial tools and, as a result, your private and financial information.

Choose one card or e-wallet to use frequently, with all the other payment options serving as backup. In addition, don’t be remiss in keeping track of all your online shopping transactions.

Ensure a Safe Online Shopping Experience

One thing that makes the prospect of online shopping so appealing is the fact that many shoppers can often expect to have a safe, quick, and reliable experience. Part of that, however, has to do with due diligence and self-protection.

As someone who’s looking forward to shopping online with a new provider, especially for international goods, do your part to protect yourself and secure your financial and personal info. These tips will help you do so and assure you of safer, more satisfactory shopping experiences in the future.