Online shopping has become a normal part of our everyday lives. However, as the number of e-shops and the convenience of shopping from home grows, so does the risk of fraud. In order to protect yourself from online shopping fraud, it is important to know a few basic rules and legal considerations that can help you avoid problems.
1. Check the credibility of the e-shop
Before you make a purchase, make sure that the e-shop is trustworthy. Check:
- Contact details: a trustworthy e-shop should have full contact details published, including the registered office address, phone number and email.
- Reviews: check reviews from other customers. There are various forums and websites in Slovakia where customers can leave their experiences with specific e-shops.
- Identification data:** Every e-shop must, according to Slovak law, provide its identification data, such as business name, registered office and identification number (IČO).
2. Payment methods
Prefer payment methods that provide some level of protection, such as:
- Payment by card: most banks offer fraud protection and chargeback options in case of problems with your order.
- Payment gateways: use verified payment gateways like PayPal that provide additional layers of protection for consumers.
3. Terms and Conditions
Please read the terms and conditions of the e-shop carefully before purchasing. Under Slovak law, the terms and conditions must be clearly stated and contain information about:
- Conditions of complaint and return of goods:** The consumer has the right to withdraw from the contract within 14 days of receipt of the goods without giving any reason,
- Delivery times: the e-shop must indicate the estimated time of delivery of the goods.
- Price and charges: the price of the goods must be inclusive of all charges and VAT.
4. Privacy Policy
When you make online purchases, you provide e-shops with your personal data. According to the GDPR and the Slovak Personal Data Protection Act, you have the right to:
- Information about data processing: the e-shop must inform you about what data it collects, for what purpose and how this data will be processed.
- Consent to processing: your personal data may only be processed on the basis of your consent or other legal grounds.
- Right of access and erasure:** You have the right to request access to and erasure of your personal data if it is no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
5. Site Security Verification
Before entering sensitive data, make sure the website is secure:
- HTTPS: Check that the web address starts with “https” and that the lock symbol is displayed next to it, indicating that the connection is encrypted.
- Certificates: trustworthy e-shops often use security certificates from reputable certification authorities.
6. Dispute Resolution
If, despite all precautions, you fall victim to fraud, you have several options to defend yourself:
- Contact the e-shop: first try to solve the problem directly with the e-shop,
- Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI): you can file a complaint with SOI, which has the power to control compliance with regulations and punish unfair practices,
- Legal help: for more serious problems, you can contact a lawyer or a consumer organisation for legal advice and assistance.
Following these steps will help you minimise the risk of fraud when shopping online and ensure that your shopping experience is safe and hassle-free. Remember, caution and awareness are key to protecting your rights and your funds.
