オンラインショッピングの際にどの電話番号を使うべきか

When you are buying online, make sure that you use a phone number that you can access, preferably your mobile number or a secondary mobile number that can receive calls and SMS. For international shoppers, use your international telephone number with the correct country code, unless the retailer states they need a U.S. number. 

Your phone number may be required for order verification, fraud verification, order updates, customer service, or account security. But providing your primary personal information to all online retailers can also result in unwanted calls and marketing messages. The best practice is to use a trusted number that you check, not fake numbers, and use a separate number for shopping if privacy is an issue.

What Is the Best Type of Phone Number to Use When Shopping Online?

The ideal number is a real, active phone number that you can use to receive calls or texts to verify it. For normal orders, use your personal mobile number. A dedicated secondary or virtual number can be used to keep shopping activity away from your main number if you desire more privacy.

Your Personal Mobile Number

Your usual cell phone number is the easiest option since the retailers can contact you if they want to follow up on an order, confirm payment information, or troubleshoot a checkout issue.

If you're shopping internationally, make sure that the number is active and that you've entered it using the correct country code.

A Dedicated Secondary Number

If you are a frequent online shopper, it may be helpful to have a separate number. It provides retailers with a way to reach you without revealing your main number everywhere. This choice can help manage calls and messages that are associated with shopping.

A Virtual or Online Phone Number

There are online phone services that offer numbers to use through an app or internet connection. These numbers can be used for the verification of calls and SMS, depending on the service and retailer.

But not all virtual numbers are authorized for account registration or OTP validation, so make sure the retailer accepts it before using one.

Your Shipping Address Phone Number

Avoid relying on the shipping warehouse or forwarding address phone number. The retailer might need to reach out to you, instead of the warehouse, to discuss payment, order verification, or inventory.

When utilizing a package forwarding service, use your available telephone number unless the service specifies otherwise. 

How to Set Up a Safe Telephone Number for Online Shopping?

A few steps will help you keep online shopping separate from your personal communications:

1. Choose a number you can access: Be sure you can receive incoming calls and SMS during an order.
2. Use a secondary number for shopping: A secondary number can minimize the risk of exposing your main number.
3. Maintain the number active: Try not to use a temporary number that may be lost before orders can be checked.
4. Check SMS compatibility: Certain stores use one-time passwords, so your number should be able to receive their verification messages.
5. Use the correct country code: Use the long number for international checkout, as the retailer will ask you to do.
6. Keep your account details consistent: Your name, billing details, shipping address, email, and phone number shouldn't contain unnecessary information, which could lead to further verification.
7. Never use a random or fake number: An unavailable phone number can cause delays in order fulfillment from the retailer.

How to Keep Your Personal Contact Information Safe During Online Shopping? 

• Use a second number for stores that do not require your primary number.
• Verify if the phone field is necessary before entering your phone number.
• Review the retailer's privacy policy to learn how contact details are utilized.
• Don't put your phone number out there on forums or shopping profiles.
• Avoid giving SMS verification codes to anyone who calls to claim to be the retailer.
• Contact important services with your main number, if it is important that you can be reached.
• Use your shopping number until your order or return is finalized or you have received the refund.
• If the retailer asks you for communication preferences, don't accept unnecessary promotional texts and calls.

What If a Store Requires a U.S. Phone Number?

Certain websites might have checkout forms created particularly for U.S. shoppers. If the form rejects your international number, you should first consider if the retailer offers an international website or another checkout process.

When you have a U.S. package forwarding service, you can also call the retailer's customer service and ask if they accept international numbers. Avoid entering an random U.S. number to avoid the checkout process, particularly if the store might use it to verify your order.

Conclusion

Use a valid phone number for most online transactions. Generally, your own mobile number is the easiest choice, or a dedicated secondary number can be used for additional privacy when shopping at different sites.

When you're shopping internationally, always use the correct country code and make sure that the number can receive verification messages. If a store declines your number, please reach out to the store, not the fake or non-existent number.

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