SOS – Safe Online Shopping

Introduction

It is almost impossible to go through life without doing some (or a LOT) of online shopping. Shopping online opens up a world of opportunities, convenience, choice, bargains and more. Online shopping also carries some risks; being well-informed may help you avoid some of these risks.

Why is this important?

If you’re not already shopping online, chances are you will soon be - perhaps when you start earning an income.

Don’t become a victim of unscrupulous online retailers. Be aware of the risks and know how to manage them so that you (and your money!) stay safe when shopping online. Remember – nobody is too smart to be scammed!

Task

In this WebQuest, you will undertake a series of activities to help you better understand how to shop safely online, including strategies you can use when shopping online.

Process

Before you start...

So, what is safe online shopping? What do you need to be aware of when shopping online? Watch these brief video summaries to find out more:

 

Task 1 – Shop safe online

Download, complete and save Task 1 worksheet – Shop safe online.  

(Source:https://financialbasics.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10_SOS_SAFE_ONLINE_SHOPPING_task1worksheet_shop_safe_online.docx) 
Evaluation

SUBMISSION

Submit your response to Task 1 to your teacher.

Your teacher will review your work and provide feedback.    

Conclusion

Online retailers can be a quick, easy and efficient way to shop. In Australia, the online shopping market has grown rapidly in recent years. In April 2020 alone, 5.2 million Australian households shopped online – a growth of 31% from the year before!  

So, what can you do to be a smart, safe and informed online shopper?

  • Research the seller. Read multiple review sites, check feedback from previous customers, and check that the business you are dealing with is registered using the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)'s business name search.
  •  Check the site is secure. Look for the locked padlock icon in your web browser, a web address that starts with https:// and a security policy (which can sometimes be found within data and privacy policies).
  • Never send your credit card number via email or messenger service.
  • Keep all significant receipts and written warranties so you can prove your purchase.
  • Notify your credit card provider immediately if you become aware of an unauthorised transaction on your account.
  • Be aware that debit cards do not have the same level of protection as credit cards against fraudulent use. If you don't have a credit card, use a digital payment service like PayPal.
  • Read the seller's refund and returns policy. If there is a problem with the item you buy, you may be entitled to return it under the Australian Consumer Law.
Summarised from https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/products-and-services/online-shopping/s…

Want to learn more about safe online shopping? Ask your teacher to download the online shopping resources from www.financialbasics.org.au & sign you up for the ESSI Money Game.

Credits

Credits

This work is adapted by the content owners from the Financial Basics Foundation OFL (Operation Financial Literacy) resource Module 12: SOS!!! Smart Online Shopping. Check out the original resource for more teaching and learning activities in this content area.                                                

Financial Basics Foundation resources are free for all Australian educators. You can access these resources here.                                                                                                                             

 

Other

Financial Basics Foundation Contact information

Connect with Financial Basics Foundation for more great resources and ideas, and become part of the #FinLit community!

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Email: info@financialbasics.org.au   

URL: www.financialbasics.org.au 

Teacher Page

Why should your students do this WebQuest? All your students will shop online at some point in their lives, and some may already have done so. According to the ACCC's Scamwatch (https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/news-alerts/scams-cost-australians-over-630-million), Australians lost over $630 million to scams in 2019 alone. Australian online shopping grew by 57% in 2020 (https://auspost.com.au/business/marketing-and-communications/access-data-and-insights/ecommerce-trends), giving scammers even more opportunities to target vulnerable and uninformed consumers.

Working through this WebQuest will help your students develop vital skills and knowledge to navigate the world of online shopping more safely.

WebQuest Goal: This investigation into risks - and risk management - for online shopping aims to equip students with some skills to protect themselves from online shopping scams and fraud. 

Time required to complete this WebQuest: Approximately 80 minutes.

Solution: 

A solution for the Task 1 – Shop safe online worksheet is available through the Financial Basics Foundation member portal. Login to your account or sign up here if you're not already a member. Once you've logged in, check out all of our other WebQuests and Resources by clicking on the Teacher's Toolkit menu.                                                                                                             

Advice from FBF:

  • Students complete the Task 1 – Shop safe online worksheet electronically by typing their responses in the text entry fields. Alternatively, students can print and complete with handwritten responses.
  • Tasks in this WebQuest have been designed for students to complete individually.
  • If students struggle to identify appropriate online retailers for PART B, we suggest that you direct them to Officeworks, Kmart, Big W or Amazon.
  • Register your students for Financial Basics Foundation's ESSI Money Game to help them experience online shopping through a real-life financial simulation game.
  • You can further explore the concepts covered in this WebQuest with the Financial Basics Foundation Operation Financial Literacy Module, SOS – Smart Online Shopping.

Standards

The content and tasks in this WebQuest have been mapped to the following Australian Curriculum elements:

Economics and Business

  • Economic reasoning, decision-making and application - Elaboration: applying different strategies for mitigating risks, such as using procedures for safe and secure online banking and shopping (for example, checking bank/credit card statements; using credible, secure websites). (ACHES047)
  • Knowledge and Understanding - Elaboration: Identifying ways consumers can protect themselves from risks (for example, through setting financial goals, insurances, savings, investments, diversification, scam avoidance and superannuation). (ACHEK040)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability

  • Apply personal security protocols -  Independently apply strategies for determining and protecting the security of digital information and assess the risks associated with online environments.

Work Studies

  • Skills for learning and work – Elaboration: Identifying the risks of online communication such as identity theft and phishing scams. (ACWSCL027)