Shopping on the Internet is fun, easy and convenient, but it can also be dangerous. Listed below are a few guidelines to help avoid an unpleasant online shopping experience.
Know the Retailer
One of the most important aspects of online shopping is to know your retailer. There are many established Internet retailers that offer excellent pricing, service and selection. Well-known department stores, mail-order retailers and specialty stores have also set up Websites in recent years. There are, however, also many unscrupulous sites, some with slick, professional-looking Websites. Look into a company before you make a purchase from them. Some retailers can be checked through a free service offered by the Better Business Bureau, the Safe Shopping Site.Check the Website
Make sure that the Website that you are visiting really belongs to the retailer that you wish to do business with. Fraudulent Websites have been created which mimic legitimate sites by using similar names or taking advantage of misspellings.Read the Fine Print
Know exactly what you are buying before you make a purchase. Since you can't physically examine an item over the Internet, a complete and thorough description is necessary. Don't make assumptions about what you are buying. If it doesn't say that something is included, it might not be. For example, some companies will offer incredible deals on an item such as digital cameras. You get the camera, and everything is fine until the camera needs repair. You then discover that the guarantee is good only if you live in the Far East! Make sure that the return policy, the total cost of the item, the delivery cost and date are all clearly spelled out. Read the fine print. If a Website does not offer enough detail about its products and services to make an educated decision, go elsewhere.Pay with a Credit Card
The best way to pay for Internet purchases is with your credit card. The Fair Credit Billing Act protects credit card charges and gives you certain rights. Should your credit card be used fraudulently, you are usually liable for only the first $50.00.Keep Records
When you place an order, make a printout of the confirmation. Make sure that you also have a record of the confirmation or order number. Not only does this give you some proof that the order was made should there be problems later, it also often makes it easier for the record of your order to be retrieved by the company should you need to contact them about it.Protect your Password
Do not give out your password, and don't use a password that is easy to figure out. It is best to use a collection of letters, numbers and symbols.Protect your Personal Information
When placing an online order, most retailers will require you to provide your name, address, telephone number, email address, and if you are paying by credit card, the credit card number and expiration date. Do not do business with companies that ask for your date of birth, social security number, bank account number or any other information that is not related to the purchase and delivery of the order.Also, read the company's privacy policy. It is usually clearly (although seldom succinctly) stated on the Website. Make certain that a business will not sell your personal information to a third party (opening the door to a barrage of spam).
It is very important to make sure that the company uses strong encryption to protect your personal information when it is transmitted over the Internet. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology encodes the personal information that you submit when making a purchase so that others can't access it. When you place an order from a site that uses SSL, the URL (Website address) will begin with https instead of http.
Information about a site's security and privacy policy can often be found at the very bottom of the page (usually in fine print).
