Online Shopping Safety Guide
CSNP Senior Safety Resource | www.csnp.org
Shopping Guide
Online Shopping Safety Guide
Shop online safely and confidently. Learn to spot fake stores, protect your payment information, and get great deals without getting scammed.
Download the Online Shopping Guide
A step-by-step guide to shopping online safely, including trusted websites, payment tips, scam warnings, and what to do if something goes wrong.
Download Guide (PDF)What's Covered
Trusted Shopping Sites
Safe websites like Amazon, Walmart, and Target
Payment Safety
Credit cards vs debit cards and PayPal protection
Spotting Scam Websites
Red flags of fake online stores
After-Purchase Monitoring
Tracking orders and watching for fraud
Before You Buy Online
- Shop only on websites you recognize and trust
- Use credit cards (not debit) for better fraud protection
- Look for "https://" and the padlock icon in the address bar
- Never shop online using public WiFi
Scam Website Warning Signs
Prices too good to be true (70%+ off), no phone number or address, only accepts wire transfer or gift cards, spelling errors, and pressure to buy immediately. If you're unsure, search "[store name] reviews" before buying.