According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, more than 51 million Americans are expected to shop online this holiday season. And why not? It’s a great alternative to fighting the holiday crowds all over town for a whole month. Plus, you can use the Internet to order just about anything and have it shipped to your door. But with the ease and simplicity also come many risks to keep your personal information safe on the World Wide Web. The National Consumers League provides some ways to keep everything safe and secure while shopping online:
- Get the scoop on the seller. Look for sellers with high customer service ratings or ones belonging to programs that encourage good business practices.
- Use a credit card. It’s the safest way to pay because you have the legal right to dispute charges for goods or services that were never ordered, never received or misrepresented.
- Use substitute or single use credit card numbers when possible. This new technology allows you to use your credit card without putting your real account number online.
- Look for clues about security. When you provide payment information, the “http” at the beginning of the address bar should change to ‘https’ or ‘shttp’ (the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure’). See what web sites say about how they safeguard your information in transmission and storage.
- Know the real deal. Get all the details before you buy: a complete description of the item, the total price (including shipping), the delivery time, warranty information, the return policy and who to call if you have problems.
- Keep proof handy: Print and file the information in case you need proof later.
Whenever handling anything personal online, be sure to use a secure Internet connection that you can trust. Look for the lock icon at the bottom of your browser to ensure you’re sending secure information.
For more ways to navigate safely online during – and after – the holiday season, check out the American Bar Association’s guide to secure cyber shopping.
3 Comments on "Outsmart Scammers: Make Shopping Online A Private Affair"
todd
hi there i can use i had my credit.no. purchase lots of on the internet what can i do this happen to me twict.so come a victime its seens 2nd time this give some i ideas thanks todd
Sable
If you use an ATM or Debit card, even if it has the Visa or MasterCard Logo the $ comes from your bank account & once it’s gone it is.
Use a credit card that way you can dispute anything that goes wrong with your transaction. Using the ATM/Debit Card isn’t designed for disputes & more then likely you’ll not get any redress or protection.
cascade
Don’t forget , the many over draft charges if they take more than what is promised. 30.00 to40.00 dollars each overdraft. It is much safer to go to a drugstore and purchase a credit card. You can put in as much as you need and no one can take any more than that. I agree, check rating. Go into the web site,know there past performence a little. JUST DO NOT USE YOUR BANK ACCOUNT CARDS!
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