Is It Safe to Shop on Instagram?

You’ve seen it before: you’re scrolling through Instagram when suddenly you’re shown an advertisement for an Instagram shop. They may be selling collectibles, clothing, housewares, or one-of-a-kind art. If you’re anything like millions of other Instagram users, you’ve likely explored these online stores and wondered: “Is it safe to shop on Instagram?” Although the Instagram marketplace has only been extant since 2019, there are still many potential avenues for fraud and other risks. Take a look below as we explore the safety of these Instagram shops and whether or not it’s safe to purchase from them. 

Are Instagram Transactions Secure?

When you make online purchases, it’s important to remember that you are surrendering personal information about yourself. Online payments that go through your credit card record your full name and any data you associate with your banking. This can include your billing address and your telephone number. There is an inherent risk in sharing this information with a social media app, especially one that is notorious for data leaks. 

Of course, this type of risk comes with any online transaction. However, it’s important to address the potential dangers of shopping on social media apps. If a leak occurs, you might receive phishing emails that claim to be from Instagram attempting to obtain your credentials or payment information. This is just one of many ways that cybercriminals utilize stolen data and use it against their targets. 

Ultimately, the commerce that occurs on platforms like Instagram is safe if it is done through a reputable retailer. There have been many occasions where large companies have set up shop fronts on the popular social media platform. Additionally, many small businesses have made an effort to ensure that their Instagram shops are safe for their customers. However, just because a transaction is encrypted does not mean that the retailer is safe, which is why so many consumers ask: “Is it safe to shop on Instagram?”

Is It Safe to Shop on Instagram?

Cases of fraudulent stores have been popping up all over Instagram since early 2021. Over the past few years, there have been thousands of reports of shops that are actually fake. These false stores are often set up overnight and filled with high ticket items at low prices. In some cases, the shop will send you a product that doesn’t resemble the item you purchased. In other instances, the store can simply take the money and run. 

Many fraudulent shops run ads through Instagram, which is how they get attention on their “products.” However, there are also many legitimate small businesses on Instagram that run advertisements on the app. You might see one of these ads on your Feed between posts from accounts you follow. Determining whether these advertisements are for fake or real storefronts can be a challenge, but it’s important to verify the validity of a shop before making a purchase.

Luckily, Instagram makes it easy to report a store or product as being fraudulent. With that in mind, it’s important to ensure that you are shopping safely while you are on Instagram. Here are a few tips that can help you make your Instagram shopping experience as safe as possible.

How to Shop Safely on Instagram

There are some easy steps that you, as a consumer, can take when browsing Instagram shops. One of them is ensuring that the shop you are purchasing from is a real one. But how can you do that, and what are the other ways that you can safely shop on Instagram? 

• Avoid Instagram stores that have lots of bots as followers
• Never shop with Instagram stores that only have recent posts
• Don’t click on links with suspicious or uncommon characters
• Avoid making purchases on websites without “HTTPS” in the link
• Never buy from shops where the prices are “too good to be true”
• Ensure that two-factor authentication is turned on for your account
• Update the security settings for your Instagram profile 

Now that you know how to safely shop on Instagram, you’ll also want to protect the devices you use to shop. This can include your phone, your tablet, and even your computer. Luckily, with a reliable VPN, you can protect all of your devices with just one account. Not only can a VPN help ensure your shopping experience is safe, but it can also make it easier to browse safely. 

Get PrivadoVPN and Protect Your Privacy

Whether you’re on Instagram or another part of the Internet, PrivadoVPN is there to help protect you. Cybersecurity threats are lurking around every corner, and it’s important to have the security you need when you need it. With PrivadoVPN, you get access to unlimited monthly VPN data to ensure that you’re always safe and secure. Plus, with access to 300+ global servers and the ability to create up to 10 connections at once, PrivadoVPN makes it easy to protect all of the devices in your home no matter where you are. 

Sign up for PrivadoVPN today to take back control of your online privacy in just a few clicks.