Shopping online has its benefits, top of which is convenience. One can do their shopping anywhere they are just as long they have an internet connection. They are also not limited by their geographical location. Someone in Kenya can buy perfume or a book in the US and have it delivered to them here.
Other benefits include
- Bargains – Goods and services cost less online than at brick and mortar shops.
- Privacy – While shopping online one doesn’t have to worry what people will think when they buy certain items.
- Variety – One has access to different stores and brands across the world.
- Price comparison – It is easier to compare prices online for same products on different online stores.
There is no doubt it is advantageous but shopping online also has its risks. For example;
- Credit/debit card data can be stolen if payments are made on poorly secured websites.
- Some people operate bogus online stores that sell products that don’t exist.
- Some online stores deliver products that don’t match the description on their websites.
Online payment platform PayPal offers a layer of protection to customers to avoid some of the risks online shopping comes with.
1. Safety of debit/credit card information
When you set up your PayPal account you link your debit or credit card with it. When you are making a payment, you then use your PayPal account to pay. This means that you don’t share your debit/credit card information with online stores. Card fraud, especially on bogus sites, is then not possible.
Also, access to the PayPal website is encrypted and chances of your debit or card information being stolen by cyber criminals are very slim.
2. Buyer protection
If you buy an item online and pay using PayPal and the item either doesn’t arrive or doesn’t match what the online store described it to be then PayPal can reimburse you the full amount. This is done under PayPal’s Buyer Protection program and it covers physical goods.
3. Account safety
PayPal doesn’t allow browsers to save your password so in case your laptop or computer is stolen no one can access your PayPal account. Also, if you or someone else accesses your PayPal account from a location you normally don’t operate in PayPal will flag it and require you to prove that you are the owner of the account.
Shopping online has its risks but if you pay with PayPal you ensure that you are protected against most of them, especially where payments are concerned. What’s your safety experience shopping online? Do let us know in the comments.