Tips & recommendations on safe online shopping

Dear customers, you are well aware, we are certain, that My Canadian Pharmacy is an ever-evolving service whose only objective is to help you have the best possible experience of ordering drugs online. In this our quest, we regularly undertake many initiatives like this most recent one. Let us introduce a few changes to our interface and explain how they will help us increase your security.

New zone division to enhance the integrity at My Canadian Pharmacy

As you enter My Canadian Pharmacy site www.mycanadianpharmacyrx.com, you will see that we have split our space into Products are and Healthcare Information area. This strategy makes a lot of practical sense if you consider the rationale behind it: in this way, the process of choosing pills and sending them to your basket will all take place in the encrypted ‘http’ zone, while the area with the health-related materials is unlocked for all the search engines so that it makes it easier for you to find the materials you are searching for. In other words, we apply protection thoughtfully – exactly where it is needed, so as it is in place and running without inhibiting your browsing experience.

We are sure that you will find this new division useful and sensible. Meanwhile, we invite you to read more tips by My Canadian Pharmacy safety experts – all on how to protect your sensitive data from phishing and scamming while shopping online.

Shopping for drugs on the Internet is a trend that is growing in Canada and the rest of the world. However, this act that is commonplace can carry some risks. Fortunately, solutions make it possible to shop online safely. The Web can buy goods and services of any kind without going to a store: travel, ticketing, applications, books, music, groceries… It must be said that since the advent of tablets and other smartphones, buying online is becoming easier and more convenient.

Internet shopping is not without risk. The main risk contained in the purchase on the Internet occurs at the time of payment. From the moment you draw your bank card, you can ask yourself a lot of questions: how to be sure that the money spent will go to the designated shop? Is there a risk of his personal data being diverted by a third party?

Essential precautions to buy on the Internet. To shop securely on the Internet, it is better to look for recognized sites and those who adhere to the 3D Secure system developed by Mastercard and Visa. When paying, always check that the page you are on is secure: a small padlock must appear on the browser window and the site address is with an “https”. In addition, solutions exist to ensure a secure Internet browsing. They allow an exchange of encrypted data and thus make his shopping quietly. Indeed, by means of a digital key, it is possible to browse the Internet safely. Since this key is inserted into the computer, you can surf and shop online without leaving a trace!

At the end of an Internet transaction, the consumer must ensure that the merchant sends them an invoice or confirmation of purchase. It is received by e-mail generally. You should also monitor your bank account. Having insurance to guard against the fraudulent use of one’s means of payment increases the feeling of security when buying on the Internet.

9 tips to enhance your payment security by My Canadian Pharmacy

Do not shop at random drugstores

First important step: the choice of the shop. When you have the choice, prefer an online store that you already know by word of mouth or because you have already used it. Make sure that the general terms and conditions of sale are accessible, the physical address of the company must be clearly indicated with a means of contact (phone, email). If you have no choice and you have doubts about the reliability of a seller, do not hesitate to contact them by phone or email under the pretext of checking the availability of a product. Do some research on the internet with the name of the drugstore or ask the community’s opinion in our pre-purchase advice forums to find an alternative or collect opinions.

Pay attention for the site protection

A credit card number is intended to be entered on a special secure page that must be encrypted to prevent the number from being intercepted by a third party. These pages are easily recognizable thanks to the ‘https’ that appears at the beginning of the address or the padlock present in the address bar. You can also activate your VPN if you subscribe to a service of this type. On the other hand, credit card numbers should never pass through a simple contact form or through emails. Ideally, your real credit card number should almost never pass on the internet (see below).

Use an alternative payment method

Online retail sites sometimes offer alternative payment methods to the bank card. Some offer for example the payment via Paypal, which saves you from systematically providing your card number. However, you must open a Paypal account by providing your card number or credit the account. The bank transfer can also be an interesting alternative if you can make transfers online. The seller usually asks to note a reference to find the transaction. However, do not be in a hurry, the validation of the order being longer than when paying by card.

Engage your bank’s security

Banking organizations have addressed these security issues and most banks or cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, etc.) offer security solutions such as 3-D Secure, a secure payment protocol on the Internet. Date of birth, code card, SMS code – not all banks offer the same type of security. Check with your advisor what type of security your card offers and how to activate it before making online purchases.

Use a prepaid card

If you do not have a card, a bank account or you particularly want your numbers not to circulate on the internet, it is possible to acquire a prepaid credit card. These cards that we can equal use in street shop are credited with a certain amount before use. It is possible to buy them online or in cash at points of sale near you (local shops). However, fees must be paid: a fixed amount on the management and / or certain amounts at the time of charging or at each transaction.

Use a virtual card or e-card

In the same spirit as the prepaid card, virtual cards or e-cards are offered by almost all banks. They allow you to create virtual card numbers for a certain amount or at each payment. The service is usually paid but the fees are lower than for prepaid cards. The procedure for creating virtual numbers can be done online via a special interface set up by the bank. Ask your bank advisor what solutions yours offers, you may already have it at your disposal without knowing it.

Watch your accounts

The time of payment is past and if you have decided to opt for a payment with your actual card number, it should be checked that the amount debited corresponds to the order you placed with the merchant, especially if you are a regular shopper on the internet. Check that each debit on your bank statements or on your online account corresponds to purchases actually made. If you find a debit that does not match any of your payments, do not hesitate to contact your bank for explanations. The sooner the better if you want to cancel a payment or cancel a recurring payment.

Do not agree to have your payment details stores

Finally, some sites sometimes offer you at the time of payment to “keep in memory” your payment information to facilitate your task during your next purchases. Always uncheck this box to avoid leaving your card numbers in the merchant databases. If you want to save this card for practical reasons, choose a strong password that contains capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and mixed letters. Of course, never use the same password for multiple websites.

Do not be mistaken:

It’s not just the payment that has to be secure, your purchase must be done in such a way that the benefits of buying on the internet do not become a disadvantage. Before the payment phase, the price of the product, the choice of the site, the deadlines or other conditions of guarantees and after-sales service must be examined carefully in order not to be deceived.

Useful information: www.mycanadianpharmacyrx.com/how-to-order