7 checks for safe online payments

Let's start at the beginning. To make online payments, you need a secure internet connection. Do not use unsecured Wi‑Fi, such as free Wi‑Fi in a shopping centre. Wait until you're home or use your mobile data connection instead.

Before placing an order, take a quick look at the address bar. Is there a padlock icon, and does the web address start with “https://”? If so, the connection to the online store is encrypted and the website has a security certificate. If the padlock or “https://” is missing, do not place an order on that website.

Please note: a padlock does not automatically mean that an online store is trustworthy. Always check the web address carefully. For example, the ABN AMRO website starts with https://www.abnamro.nl.

Check whether the online store has a quality mark, such as Thuiswinkel Waarborg or Webshop Keurmerk. On the quality mark’s website, you can verify whether the online store is genuinely affiliated with the scheme.

For affiliated online stores, the company details have been checked, among other things. You also pay through a secure connection and are entitled to the statutory 14-day cooling-off period.

A trustworthy online store clearly states who is behind it. That’s why you should look for the company name, address, contact details, VAT number, and Chamber of Commerce registration number. If you can’t find this information anywhere, that’s a reason to be extra cautious.

A quick Google search can save you a lot of hassle. Read what other customers have to say: Was their order delivered on time? Was customer support easy to reach? Did the product match its description? One negative review doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a problem, but a large number of similar complaints is definitely a warning sign.

Still in doubt? You can use the Dutch police website to check whether any reports have been filed about the buyer or seller.

You can verify the following details:

• Bank account number (use only letters and numbers, for example: NL12BANK0123456789)
• Email address (excluding Marktplaats email addresses)
• Telephone number (use only numbers, for example: 0201234567)
• The URL of an online store

Have you checked that the online store is trustworthy? Then you're ready to make your payment. Choose a well-known and secure payment method. A credit card often provides additional protection.

Purchases are frequently insured against loss, damage, or theft. And if your order is not delivered, you can often rely on a purchase protection or delivery guarantee.