It’s amazing how everything now is done online, that is shopping online. Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you and me won’t find in a supermarket, mall, store or by mail.
Online shopping is always active, open 24 hours/7days. This is really good and simplifies everything. However online shopping is not that safe as it is in stores, supermarkets or through mail.
The following tips are to help you as client or seller to ensure that you’re online shopping or selling experience is safe.

1. Look for accurate, clear and easily accessible information about the goods or services being offered and clarify any queries before you place and order. In simple terms collect as much information as you can before proceeding to purchase or selling off.
2. Understand the terms, and conditions, and get a full, itemized list of costs involved including currency conversions and delivery charges.
3. Verify the seller’s details (name, location, email, and phone). To make this step even easier, take advantage of address verification services. These are provided by many merchants, and you are strongly encouraged to use them. You can use an AVS service on all transactions that come through. The AVS service will make sure that the info you are provided matches the info on file with the card issuing bank. If the information is different, then the AVS service will make sure that you are warned.
4. If the price is very low compared to the retail value, take extra steps to verify the seller’s claims. Remember, if it’s too good to be true, there ‘s probably a catch. Simply take care of that order, this could be a scammer being a little greedy, and biting off more than he can chew. On orders that you notice are more than the average, pay special attention to them.
5. Request proof of ownership, when buying from private parties. For example for a vehicle, they should produce evidence of title, registration, and vehicle identification number. In addition request for proof of possession. Ask for details someone like the owner or seller could have for such an item.
6. As a seller or buy avoid free email addresses (yahoo, gmail, rocketmail and many more) on any orders that come in. Most online scammers are smart enough to use free email addresses when scamming online. This gives them extra padding from getting caught, so take precaution with these free email addresses. It may be a smart move to require email addresses from their ISP and ban any kind of free email addresses from being used. This will scare away potential fraudsters, as ISP emails are easily traceable.
7. Be cautious with international sellers. If a dispute arises in the transaction, your home country laws may not apply to the international seller.
8. Always use credit cards when buying or getting payments, since wire transfers services do not always provide protection or refunds. Most online merchants do provide security, exploit that advantage

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