Ninety Percent of U.S. Consumers are Online Shoppers
BY CAITLYN EUGLEN
COMMUNITY STATE BANK
As e-commerce sales continue to grow – accounting an estimated 4.3 trillion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2025 – buyers should be aware of the many tricks and tactics concocted by fraudsters.
Here is a look at 5 important tips when shopping online:
1. Buy only from reputable merchants
I am sure we have all been persuaded to purchase items seen on ads within our social media platforms from various sites once clicking the link. Be extra cautious purchasing products from sites that are unfamiliar to you. They could be potentially illegitimate, meaning you could get your card information compromised and never receive the products you thought you were purchasing.
2. Make sure to use a secure website
Secure websites have an https:// URL in the search bar. These sites are typically verified and are more secure to share any sensitive banking information on.
3. Check out as a guest when possible
Most online retailers give an option to sign up for an account or check out as a guest. It’s typically safer to make online purchases as a guest. When you create an account, the website stores your personal information which can be compromised during a potential data breach.
4. Use credit cards for purchases
Unlike debit cards, most credit card companies do not hold customers liable for any unauthorized purchases. Credit cards are an excellent tool to utilize when purchasing products online, filling up your tank at a gas station, or paying for a service. Debit card fraud is much more involved, and customers will not get their funds recovered as quickly, if at all.
5. Beware of gift card scams
No reputable company will request to be paid with gift cards. Fraudsters will often request you purchase gift cards from the store, and have you read the card number over the phone to make you believe you are paying them for whatever service they claim to be doing. This typically occurs when your computer gets hacked. This is a classic sign of fraud!
If you believe you may have been a victim of fraud or noticed something unusual, Community State Bank is here to help. Feel free to call us at (262) 878-3763.