Online Shopping

The World Wide Web has expanded the international marketplace in a way never before possible. Unfortunately, not all e-Commerce merchants are reputable, so shopping online requires extra diligence.

Know who you are buying from

Anyone can set up shop online. Confirm an online seller’s physical address, email contact information, and phone number in case you need to get in touch with them. If you get an email or pop-up message from the seller while you are browsing that asks for financial information, do not reply, or click on the link in the message. Legitimate companies do not ask for this information via email or pop-ups. Consider dealing only with vendors that clearly state their policies.

Know what you are 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; name-brand items with “too good to be true” prices could be counterfeits.

Look for accurate, clear, and easily accessible information about the goods or services being offered, and contact the company to clear up any questions before you place an order.

Understand the terms, conditions, and costs

Find out up front what you are getting for your money, and what you are not getting. Obtain a complete, itemized list of costs involved in the sale, with a clear designation of the currency involved, terms of delivery or performance, and terms, conditions and methods of payment.

Look for information about restrictions, limitations, or conditions of the purchase; instructions for proper use of products, including safety and health care warnings; warranties and guarantees; cancellation, return, or refund policies; and the availability of after-sale service.

Protect yourself when paying online

Pay by credit or charge card; do not send cash under any circumstances! 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. In the event your credit or charge card is used without your knowledge and permission, you generally are liable for no more than $50 in charges per card. Many companies do not hold consumers responsible for any unauthorized charges made online, and some card issuers may provide additional warranty, return, and/or purchase protection benefits.

Look for information posted online that describes the company's security and privacy policies.

Check whether the browser is secure and encrypts your personal and financial information during online transmission. That makes the information less vulnerable to hackers.

Look out for your privacy

All businesses require information about you to process an order. Some use it to tell customers about products, services or promotions, but others share or sell the information to other vendors - a practice with which you may not be comfortable.

Check a company’s privacy policy before doing business. It should let you know what personal information the website operators are collecting, why, and how they are going to use it. The privacy policy should give you the opportunity to refuse (‘opt-out’) having your information sold or shared with other vendors. It should tell you whether you can correct or delete information the company already has about you. If you cannot find a privacy policy — or if you do not understand it — consider taking your business to another site that is more security-conscious and customer-friendly.

Understand what recourse you have if you are dissatisfied

Do business only with companies that state their commitment to customer satisfaction and their policy to resolve consumer complaints or difficulties quickly and fairly, without imposing excessive charges or inconvenience.

Keep a paper trail. Print and save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and copies of any email you exchange with the seller. Verify your credit card statements as you receive them to be on the lookout for unauthorized charges.

Do not email your financial information

Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial or personal information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number. If you begin 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.

Use anti-virus software and a firewall; Update them regularly

Anti-virus software protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer’s performance, cause a crash, or even allow spammers to send email through your account. Anti-virus software scans your computer and incoming email for viruses, deleting them. The software should update routinely with antidotes to the newest threats circulating through the Internet.

Firewalls help keep hackers from using your computer to send out your personal information without your permission. Think of a firewall as a guard, watching for outside attempts to access your system and blocking communications to and from sources you do not permit. If your operating system does not include a firewall, you can get a separate software firewall, or install a hardware firewall — an external device that includes firewall software.

Other protections for your computer include Anti-Spyware software and Pop-up Blockers.