Whereas cash used to be king in shops, paying for goods and services online has become the norm in society, and it is something we do automatically.
Whether you are using Apple Pay to purchase a gift or a more traditional card method, such as VISA or MasterCard to buy items, electronic payments are very popular.
Although many will feel very comfortable using a desktop or mobile device to pick up goods, some will be eminently less certain, and they should probably exercise more caution.
If buying products online is something you are unfamiliar with, then there are a few factors you should bear in mind so that you can keep yourself safe.
Firstly, make sure that you have a secure or memorable password. You shouldn’t share this with anyone else, as this could leave your financial details open to exposure. On that note, make sure your security settings are up-to-date and don’t use the same password on more than one account.
Similarly, never click on any links in an email or a text, even if it is a message from a company that you may recognise. This is a ploy used by fraudsters to try and swindle people out of money.
You should be very careful if using a computer in an internet café, as you will be on a public wi-fi network and you don’t know who is watching you while you are paying for something online.
Also, banks will try and protect you by flagging up if you are making a payment to a new payee and the details don’t match up with what they have on file. You should take heed of this message and don’t proceed if you’re not sure as this is another way that criminals can access your money.
Most businesses, such as retail and financial industries will use electronic payments as it is a much swifter way of carrying out transactions. Unlike cheques, they take far less time to process. Banks, for example, are trying to move to more of an online operation, as people prefer to check digital statements or make payments for bills via the web rather than queue up and deal with someone at a cashier.
New payment methods are springing up all the time, but PayPal – which is one of the oldest e-wallets – remains one of the most trusted options for customers. This is particularly the case for online casino players, who like to use PayPal to play at the best UK slot sites. Here, customers can make deposits and withdrawals to and from their accounts seamlessly, and as PayPal is so versatile, they will be able to access some of the best promotions available, such as free spins.
Paying for products online need not be daunting and businesses will generally only have authorised payment providers to help you purchase goods online.
Nevertheless, our guide should be rather useful if you have any concerns about buying products on the internet. If you can follow the advice we have outlined, then this will stand you in good stead in the future.