Using Technology With Caution: How To Be Safe And Secure When Buying Online

Online fraud and cybercrime are on the rise. But there’s no reason to be scared when staying safe online is as simple as reading this article.

Follow our tips on using your tech to buy and send money online safely – especially at Christmas!

If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!

A sparkling new Rolex watch for $5?

When you’re shopping in the mall or along the street, it’s often blindingly obvious that the shifty looking seller with 10 “Rolex” watches for sale isn’t legitimate. But online, things aren’t so easy to spot.

You can’t just go on how nice the website looks when anyone can use WordPress or Wix to create a stunning webpage.

Start by asking, is this too good to be true? If the answer is yes, buy from somewhere else! The same goes for online services offering instant money transfers.

Even here at Remitbee Online Money Transfer, it can take up to a few hours for your money to arrive in your recipients' account – and we have some of the fastest transfer times. Anyone claiming to send money online instantly is likely scamming you. To find out if an online remittance service is a scam, look for any of these points:

• Bad reviews on Trustpilot and other independent review sites (did you know Remitbee is rated Excellent on Trustpilot?). • Instant money transfers (even the best services take some time!). • No customer support or contact details. • If there is customer support, they’ll struggle to answer questions. • No money-back guarantees. • No refunds policy. • No on-site security (at Remitbee, we have 256-bit SSL encryption and are BBB Business Accredited, McAfee Secure and use Microsoft Azure).

Keep your payment details secure when you send money online

Even once you’re happy you’ve found a reputable seller or online remittance service, there’s still some element of risk. First of all, you should know by now to never give your personal or bank details to anyone, especially over the internet!

Before you send money online, whether it’s via their website or PayPal, make sure you’ve got a small padlock symbol in your browser. This means that any transfer of data is encrypted between you and the webserver.

Even if the seller is as safe and trustworthy as they come, you need the padlock to ensure your details aren’t intercepted by attackers.

Other things you can do are:

• Keep security and virus software up-to-date. This includes your mobile device as well as laptop or computer! • Avoid public WiFi networks in cafes, hotels and at work. • Use a credit card instead of a debit card. If your card details are stolen, there’s protection from the credit card company. With a debit card, any money stolen comes straight out of your bank account.

It all comes down to finding reputable services and remembering to stay safe online. Any seller or service who offers a secure and safe platform will be happy to shout about it at every opportunity!

Find out how Remitbee offers a secure way to send money online here.