How to protect yourself when shopping online
- Make sure you are buying from a vendor that uses secure information transmission methods. In plain English, you need to make sure that the page on which you are giving your information is secure. You can tell if it is secure by noting a picture of a yellow padlock in the bottom margin of your browser (below the web page area).
- Read the security information posted on the website. Don't use your credit card unless you are convinced by the information posted that it is safe to do so.
- Check out the company if you have not heard of them before. You can do this through all the usual methods - the state attorney general's office, the Better Business Bureau (BBB). It's easy to check the company's status online at the BBB's site: http://www.bbb.org. You can also use The Better Business Bureau's site geared exclusively towards online companies. They offer a seal of approval to member companies that promise to abide by certain security and ethical guidelines. The American Bar Association hosts a special Web site for shoppers.
- You should delete your browser cookies after shopping online. Websites sometimes store sensitive information in these cookies which are a single line of text stored on your computer. You may lose saved passwords/settings on frequently traveled sites when you do this, but you will also cut down on your vulnerability. You will also stop some sites from getting your email address and spamming you.
- Find out the return policy on the site. Is it clear? Will they give you a full refund? How long do you have to return the merchandise?
- Never use a debit card online. Use a real credit card. The use of a debit card provides direct access to your checking account. In addition, you are not protected from fraud, as you would be with a regular credit card. Most credit card companies will limit your liability to $50.
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