|
Online Shopping Security
Shopping on the Internet can be economical and convenient.
Shopping on the Internet is no less safe than shopping in a store
or by mail. To help ensure that your online shopping experience
is a safe one:
- Know who you’re dealing with.
Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone
number in case you have questions or problems.
- Know exactly what you’re buying.
Read the seller’s description of the product closely,
especially the fine print.
- Know what it will cost. Factor shipping and
handling — along with your needs and budget —
into the total cost of the order.
- Pay by credit or charge card, for
maximum consumer protections.
- Check out the terms of the deal, like
refund policies and delivery dates.
- Print and save records of your online
transactions.
Shopping online offers lots of benefits that you won’t
find shopping in a store or by mail. The Internet is always
open — seven days a week, 24 hours a day — and
bargains can be numerous online. With a click of a mouse, you can buy an
airline ticket, book a hotel, send flowers to a friend, or purchase your
favorite fashions. But sizing up your finds on the Internet is a little
different from checking out items at the mall.
If you’re buying items from an online retailer or
auction website, OnGuard Online offers this advice to help you
make the most of your shopping experience:
- Know who you’re dealing with.
Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. Confirm
the online seller’s physical address and phone number
in case you have questions or problems. If you get an email
or pop-up message while you’re browsing that asks for
financial information, don’t reply or click on the link
in the message. Legitimate companies don’t ask for this
information via email.
- Know exactly what you’re buying.
Read the seller’s description of the product closely,
especially the fine print. Words like
“refurbished,” “vintage,” or
“close-out” may indicate that the product is in
less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with
“too good to be true” prices could be
counterfeits.
- Know what it will cost. Check out
websites that offer price comparisons and then, compare
“apples to apples.” Factor shipping and
handling — along with your needs and budget —
into the total cost of the order. Do not send cash under any
circumstances.
- Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay
by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be
protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under this law, you
have the right to dispute charges under certain circumstances
and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor is
investigating them. In the event of unauthorized use of your
credit or charge card, you generally would be held liable
only for the first $50 in charges. Some companies offer an
online shopping guarantee that ensures you will not be held
responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and
some cards may provide additional warranty, return, and/or
purchase protection benefits.
- Check out the terms of the deal, like refund
policies and delivery dates. Can you return the item
for a full refund if you’re not satisfied? If you
return it, find out who pays the shipping costs or restocking
fees, and when you will receive your order. A Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) rule requires sellers to ship items as
promised or within 30 days after the order date if no
specific date is promised.
- Keep a paper trail. Print and save
records of your online transactions, including the product
description and price, the online receipt, and copies of
every email you send or receive from the seller. Read your
credit card statements as you receive them and be on the
lookout for unauthorized charges.
- Don’t email your financial
information. Email is not a secure method of
transmitting financial information like your credit card,
checking account, or Social Security number. If you initiate
a transaction and want to provide your financial information
through an organization’s website, look for indicators
that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the
browser’s status bar or a URL for a website that begins
“https:” (the “s” stands for
“secure”). Unfortunately, no indicator is
foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security
icons.
- Check the privacy policy. It should let
you know what personal information the website operators are
collecting, why, and how they’re going to use the
information. If you can’t find a privacy policy — or
if you can’t understand it, consider taking your business to
another site that’s more consumer-friendly.
Related Internet Security Information:
|
|
|
