Online payments are popular and easy. Everyone uses it and today there are many apps and websites that use this. We often forget that we transfer money from one person to another.
People with bad intentions often have the impression that taking your wallet is easier, and has less risk, than robbing a bank branch. This is the same thing online. Breaking into a bank’s network is difficult, time-consuming and has a high risk of being caught. Taking away your money during an online payment is a lot easier.
What can you do about it? You can also find it in our comics. Some easy tricks will make you less vulnerable to these practices.
Step 1: Only use websites that start with https://
Step 2: Many browsers quickly indicate whether a website can be trusted or not by placing a padlock in front of the address. If the lock is locked, the website is already more reliable.
Step 3: Don’t just respond to unbelievable offers. These are there to attract you and are often too good to be true. If this is the case, they will often not be real offers and they want to take something away from you.
Step 4: If you do proceed with payment and order, make sure that the website or app refers you to your bank’s website or app. A bank doesn’t change the layout of these pages very often, and if they do, they’ll notify you. So if you see something suspicious or the page isn’t quite the same as you’re used to, stop and check what you’re doing first.
Step 5: Finally, don’t save any payment details on the website. This means that your payment details are always available for this organization and that you are not aware of the fact that next time you make a payment, if something goes wrong, warn your bank immediately, have the payment cancelled and make sure you change your passwords and bank cards. You will be able to find your purchase somewhere else, if necessary at a higher price, but that is certainly not as important as your payment details falling into the wrong hands.