Security Tip of the Week

Online Shopping

Shopping on the Internet can be economical, convenient, and as safe as shopping in a store or by mail, especially if you follow these tips:

Know who you're dealing with.
- Be sure the company has a physical address and phone number.
- If the company is new to you, research them at the Better Business Bureau online (http://www.bbbonline.org).
- Check the company's website for customer feedback.
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 protection.
- The safest way to shop on the Internet is with a credit card. In the event something goes wrong, you are protected under the federal Fair Credit Billing Act. You have the right to dispute charges on your credit card, and you can withhold payments during a creditor investigation. When it has been determined that your credit was used without authorization, you are only responsible for the first $50 in charges.
- Obtain one credit card that you use only for online payments to make it easier to detect wrongful credit charges.
- For more information on credit card consumer protections, see http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs32-paperplastic.htm#3
- Always read the privacy statement before you fill in the blanks.
Use secure web sites
- Always verify that the site is using encryption before you submit any information — look for https in the web address and for a padlock or key in the lower right corner of your browser.
Don't send personal information (Social Security number, credit card number, etc.) in an email or through instant messaging.
If you are required to set up an account, do not use a password that you are using elsewhere.
Carefully examine any SSL certificate errors.
- Never enter a password, or other personal information, into a site that does not show https.
Check out the terms of the deal, including refund policies and delivery dates.
Print and save records of your online transactions.
Consider using an escrow service, such as http://escrow.com.
- This can reduce the potential risk of fraud by acting as a trusted third party that collects, holds and disburses funds according to Buyer and Seller instructions. There is generally a fee associated with using a service such as this.