From Sam’s Club to Target to Saks 5th Avenue, just about every store you can think of has an online presence these days. When you take into account all of the online-only retailers, auction sites, and neighborhood marketplaces, most anything you want is right at your fingertips.
To help ensure seniors have a safe and successful online shopping experience, we put together this list of simple online shopping tips. Join us as we walk you through the convenience of online shopping, how to find reputable sites, what your customer rights are, and more.
Download The Future of Retirement Living
Download the GuideThe Convenience of Online Shopping
Shopping online is all about convenience, which makes it an incredible option for seniors. Of course you can buy that new outfit you’ve had your eye on from the comfort of your home, but you can also have groceries, medications, and household items shipped right to your doorstep. That means no more having to drive to multiple stores across town, which creates more time for you to live your life, your style.
Online shopping also makes it easier to compare prices across different retailers, allowing you to find the best deals faster than before. When you couple that with customer reviews that allow you to see what real buyers thought of the product, you can feel even more confident you’re getting exactly what you want or need.
Shop from Reputable Sites and Sellers
An important aspect of safe online shopping for seniors is to try to stick to well-known and respected retailers and brands. If you’re unsure about the shop’s validity, you can always look them up on the Better Business Bureau website to make sure buying from them is safe. If you’re shopping on Amazon or eBay, you can also see the rating for each seller, giving you a better idea of their overall trustworthiness.
When visiting a website, especially during the checkout process, you should always make sure that you see HTTPS in the web address. This means that you’re on a secure web page that protects your sensitive information.
Create Strong and Secure Passwords
If you’ve read our other articles on digital literacy for seniors, you know the importance of creating and using secure passwords. This is no different for online shopping, as most digital retailers require you to create an account to buy from them.
To create a strong password, be sure to use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. To make it easier to remember but still difficult for hackers to figure out, try writing a short phrase like “2GardeningGloves!” This way, you are creating a unique password that does not use any personal information, such as your birthday or hometown, which should never be utilized.
Beware of Online Shopping Scams
It is an unfortunate truth that malicious players online continue to try to scam unsuspecting shoppers. Some of the most common scams can include:
Phishing: A deceptive tactic where scammers send fake emails or messages posing as legitimate retailers. Their goal is to trick you into clicking links and sharing personal or financial information. When in doubt, check the email address of the sender to verify that it came from the retailer directly.
Fake website: A fraudulent online store designed to look like a well-known retailer. These sites lure shoppers in with too-good-to-be-true deals, only to steal payment details or fail to deliver orders. If you think you have come across one, check the web address to ensure it is the same as the store’s official website.
Bait and switch: A misleading sales tactic where a seller advertises a high-quality product but delivers something entirely different—or of much lower quality. To prevent this from happening, it can be helpful to seek out the online store of a business or brand you’re already familiar with.
Non-delivery scam: A type of fraud where a buyer pays for a product that never arrives. Scammers take the money and vanish, leaving the buyer with nothing.
Watch out for these red flags to keep yourself safe online:
- If it’s an offer that’s too good to be true, be extra cautious.
- If the web address doesn’t have HTTPS, it’s not secure.
- If the website is full of typos or is missing contact information, it’s probably a scam site.
- If you receive an unsolicited email, be wary and don’t click the links.
- If a product doesn’t have reviews or only positive reviews, it could also be a scam.
Use Secure Payment Methods
When shopping online, use a credit card or other secure method of payment like PayPal or digital wallets like Apple Pay. Credit cards usually offer more fraud protection than debit cards, while PayPal and digital wallets protect your card information from the seller–making them your best bet for safely shopping online.
Try to also avoid using your debit card or bank account information unless you completely trust the website. You’ll want to especially avoid direct wire transfers as they offer no protection against fraud.
Monitor Bank Statements and Online Accounts
Make it a habit to regularly check your bank account for any suspicious activity—even if you haven’t shopped online in a while. Look for transactions or other activity you don’t recognize and make sure you report to your financial institution right away. The more quickly you report, the more quickly they can protect your account from further fraud.
Many banks and credit unions allow you to easily set up alerts for suspicious activity. Talk to your financial institution to find out how. For additional peace of mind, you can also ask them what other fraud protection services they offer to ensure your account is fully protected on and offline.
Know Your Consumer Rights and Return Policies
Before finalizing any online purchase, make sure you know the site’s or seller’s return policies. If you can’t find it on the website and you’re buying an item you may need to return—such as shoes if they don’t fit correctly—then reach out to the site or seller directly to find out first.
As a consumer, you also have many rights and protections against unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent business practices. You can find out more about these at the Bureau of Consumer Protection website. You can also check your state’s consumer protection laws at the USAGov website.
Make Connections That Matter with Senior Lifestyle
For seniors, online shopping can open up a whole new world of goods and services. In fact, with just a little preparation and awareness, it can be just as safe and easy as buying from a brick-and-mortar store. It’s even easier now at our Senior Lifestyle communities. Our concierge is always happy to assist with the delivery process, making it a smooth experience for residents.
When it comes to choosing a safe, comfortable place to live, Senior Lifestyle offers communities designed with your tastes and desires in mind. Whether you’re looking for Independent Living, Assisted Living, or personalized Memory Care in our Embrace Neighborhoods, you’ll find a place where comfort, convenience, and connection come together—just like a great online shopping experience.
Find out more about Senior Lifestyle or schedule a visit today!