user: List a few ways I can check how trustworthy a site to purchase goods online is.

assistant: There are several ways to check a site's trustworthiness before making a purchase online. Here are some suggestions:

1. Look for a secure connection: Check that the website has an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate. You can tell if a website is SSL-secured by looking for a padlock icon in the address bar of your web browser or by looking for "https" at the beginning of the website's URL.

2. Check for a privacy policy: The website should have a privacy policy that explains how your personal information will be used and protected.

3. Research the company: Do a quick online search to learn more about the company. Check reviews on independent websites like Yelp or Trustpilot, and read customer reviews on the company's own website.

4. Look for contact information: A trustworthy website should have a clear and easy-to-find contact page that includes a physical address, phone number, and email address.

5. Check for payment security: Make sure that the website offers secure payment methods, such as credit card or PayPal, and that your payment information is encrypted.

6. Verify the URL: Check that the URL of the website is correct and matches the company's name. Be cautious of websites that use a slightly different spelling or a domain name that is not related to the company.

7. Check for trust seals: Look for trust seals from reputable third-party organizations such as VeriSign, McAfee, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). These seals indicate that the website has been verified and is secure.

Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Always use caution when making online purchases and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.

user: And if I ordered something from a not trustworthy website, how am i able to reduce the damage done? Damage concerning for example provided payment information that should better be kept away from untrustworthy websites.

assistant: Here are some tips to reduce damage if you've ordered from an untrustworthy website:

Monitor your accounts closely: Check your credit card and bank statements frequently to look for any unauthorized charges. Report any suspicious activity immediately.

Use virtual credit card numbers: Some credit card companies allow you to generate temporary virtual card numbers. Use these instead of your real card number when purchasing from untrusted sites. The virtual number will expire after one purchase, limiting the damage if the number is compromised.

Use a credit card instead of a debit card: Credit cards typically offer more fraud protection than debit cards. It's easier to dispute charges on a credit card, and you won't have money directly withdrawn from your bank account if there's fraud.

Be cautious of storing payment info: Avoid saving your payment information or creating an account on untrusted websites. Only store your information on secure, verified sites.

Use a password manager: Use a password manager to generate and store unique, complex passwords for all your accounts. This makes it harder for hackers to access multiple accounts if one password is compromised.

Monitor accounts and reports: Regularly check your credit reports and financial accounts for any signs of fraud or identity theft. The sooner you detect a problem, the sooner you can take action to limit the damage.