As the 2009 holiday season approaches, more and more consumers will bravely venture into cyberspace to buy gifts for family and friends. Maybe you’re one of them. Without a doubt, shopping online is convenient, but is it like riding into battle without a shield and a lance? Are you putting yourself at risk, or is it really safe to buy online? There are things you can do to make certain your money, your identity, and your privacy are safeguarded. Following these simple steps* can protect you and improve your online shopping experience.
1. Investigate the Seller
Anyone can sell things online, so it’s always a good idea to check out the online seller before you make a purchase. Look to see that the web site provides the business’ name, mailing address (more than a post office box) and telephone number. Are you familiar with the seller’s merchandise or services? Can you tell exactly what you’re getting based on the site’s description or pictures? Also, do you understand all costs (including price, shipping, and taxes), delivery time, warranty information, and the return policy? Make sure the site clearly spells out what you can do if you have problems with your purchase. Most importantly, trust your instincts and carefully consider with whom you’ll do business. If you feel uncomfortable about any part of an online transaction, or if you feel pressured to place your order immediately, maybe you shouldn’t.
2. Check the Site’s Security
Only do business with companies that use secure server technology. This works with your web browser to scramble your personal information – such as your credit card number – as it’s transmitted over the internet. If the site is secure, the “http” in the address bar at the top of your screen will change to “https” or “shttp” at the page where you’re asked to type in payment information. Always check for this before entering your personal data. Don’t buy online if the site isn’t secure. And read the site’s Privacy Policy. Understand how the seller will use your personal information. Some online stores will sell information about you to other companies, but today, companies have to let you choose whether or not the company can share your information with others. Exercise your right to “opt out” if you don’t want the seller to pass your information on to others. If you don’t like the privacy policy, don’t deal with that retailer.
3. Choose Your Password Carefully
Passwords may be required at various stages of web shopping to help ensure that someone is not misusing your personal information. If you use a password to log on to your network or computer, use a different password for web shopping. Some web sites may require you to create a password for future orders. It’s a good idea to create a special password for particularly sensitive sites, such as your home banking site. Also, create strong passwords using a combination of numbers, letters and symbols. One easy way to create a memorable password is to take the first letter of each word in an expression or song lyric, and add some numbers and punctuation marks. For example, the password “Idoawc!5″ is derived from “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.” Don’t use part or all of your Social Security number as a password. And remember – never give your password to anyone who contacts you, including people who claim to be employees of online services or stores.
4. Pay By Credit Card
Paying by credit card is the safest and quickest way to shop online. The federal Fair Credit Billing Act gives you the right to dispute credit card charges for goods or services that you never received, never ordered or that were misrepresented to you. So, if you have a problem with your purchase, you may be able to withhold payment while your credit card company investigates the problem. Also, if a thief has used your credit card, you are usually responsible for only the first $50 in charges. For additional security, some credit card companies offer a “single-use” credit card number that allows you to buy online using a temporary card number. Check with your credit card issuer to see if this is a service they offer. If you pay with a credit card, you may be asked to choose whether to have the seller retain your credit card information on file for future orders. Resist the urge to do this. It may be convenient to have your credit card number kept on file, but it’s much safer to provide it each time you shop.
5. Keep a Record
Print and retain a copy of your order and confirmation number in case you have a problem with your purchase. Keep a written record of shipping and handling fees as well as the cost of the item(s.) By law, online businesses must deliver merchandise within 30 days of purchase or notify you if there will be a delay. When you receive your purchases, inspect them carefully. Contact the seller as soon as possible if you discover a problem. Tell the seller, in writing, about any problems you have, request an exchange, repair or refund, and keep copies of all your correspondence.
Better Safe Than Sorry
In case you think that, when you make purchases over the internet, safety precautions aren’t all that important, consider this: the Internet Crimes Complaint Center or IC3 – a partnership between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) – received 275, 284 complaints of internet fraud in 2008, a 33.1% increase over the 206,884 complaints received in 2007. And that number is bound to increase in 2009 as more and more of us use the internet to shop.
To file a complaint about a fraudulent business practice or to get free information on how to spot, stop, and avoid one, call the Federal Trade Commission, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357) or visit www.ftc.gov and click on “Consumer Protection.”**
Be careful out there in cyberspace. To keep your holiday online shopping experience safe and successful, follow these simple rules to protect your hard earned cash, your identity, and your privacy. Happy shopping!
* some content from AARP.org
** from ftc.gov