1. Know who you're dealing with.
Check out unfamiliar sellers with the Better Business Bureau and
your state or local consumer protection agency. If you're buying
gifts on an online auction site that provides a feedback forum,
check the track record of the seller before you bid. Don't buy
things in response to unsolicited emails from unknown companies,
since these may be fraudulent.
2. Get all the details. Get the
name and physical address of the seller; how much the product or
service costs; what is included for that price; whether there
are shipping charges; the delivery time, if any; the seller's
privacy policy; and the cancellation and return policy.
3. Look for signs that online
purchases are secure. At the point that you are providing your
payment information, the beginning of the Web site address
should change from http to shttp or https, indicating that the
information is being encrypted -- turned into code that can only
be read by the seller. Your browser may also signal that the
information is secure with a symbol, such as a broken key that
becomes whole or a padlock that closes.
4. Pay the safest way. It's best
to use a credit card, especially when you're purchasing
something that will be delivered later, because under federal
law you can dispute the charges if you don't get what you were
promised. You also have dispute rights if there are unauthorized
charges on your credit card, and many card issues have "zero
liability" policies under which you pay nothing if someone
steals your credit card number and uses it.
5. Never enter your personal
information in a pop-up screen. When you visit a company's Web
site, an unauthorized pop-up screen created by an identity thief
could appear with blanks for you to provide your personal
information. Legitimate companies don't ask for personal
information via pop-up screens. Install pop-up blocking software
to avoid this type of scam.
6. Keep documentation of your
order. When you've completed the online order process, there may
be a final confirmation page and/or you might receive
confirmation by email. Print that information and keep it handy
in case you need it later.
7. Know your rights. Federal law
requires orders made by mail, phone or online to be shipped by
the date promised or, if no delivery time was stated, within 30
days. If the goods aren't shipped on time, you can cancel and
demand a refund. There is no general three-day cancellation
right, but you do have the right to reject merchandise if it's
defective or was misrepresented. Otherwise, it's the company's
policies that determine if you can cancel the purchase and
whether you can get a refund or credit.
8. Be suspicious if someone
contacts you unexpectedly and asks for your personal
information. Identity thieves send out bogus emails about
problems with consumers' accounts to lure them into providing
their personal information. Legitimate companies don't operate
that way.
9. Check your credit card and bank
statements carefully. Notify the bank immediately if there are
unauthorized charges or debits, if you were charged more than
you should have been, or if there are any other problems.
10. Keep your computer secure for
safe shopping and other online activities. Protect your computer
with spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a
firewall, and keep them up to date. Go to
http://www.staysafeonline.org/ and
http://www.onguardonline.gov/ to learn more about how to
keep your computer secure.
11.
Beware of emails offering loans or credit, even if you have
credit problems. Con artists take advantage of cash-strapped
consumers during the holidays to offer personal loans or credit
cards for a fee upfront. These scammers simply take the money
and run.
12. Contact the seller promptly
about any problems with your order. Check the company's Web site
for a customer service page, "contact us" link, email address,
or phone number to get your complaint addressed or questions
answered. If you can't resolve the problem, contact the Better
Business Bureau or your state or local consumer protection
agency for help.
