Shop Safely Online: A Guide To Internet Buying

Shopping online offers a lot of benefits that you won’t find shopping in a store or by mail. For example, the Internet is always open ¾ seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Also, bargains can be numerous online. Shopping on the Internet can also be as safe as shopping in a store or by mail. However, before you rush off to the computer to make a purchase, please keep the following tips in mind to help ensure that your online shopping experience is safe and enjoyable:

• Use a secure browser. This is the software you use to navigate the Internet. Your browser should comply with industry standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) or Secure Electronic Transaction (SET). These standards encrypt or scramble the purchase information you send over the Internet, ensuring the security of your transaction. Most computers come with a browser already installed. However, you can also download some browsers free over the Internet.
• Shop with companies that you know. Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. If you’re not familiar with a merchant, ask for a paper catalog or brochure to get a better idea of their products and services. Also, be sure to determine the company’s refund and return policies before you place an order.
• Keep your password(s) private. Be creative when you establish a password and never give it to anyone. Avoid using a telephone number, birth date, or a portion of your social security number. Instead, use an alphanumeric combination of numbers, letters and symbols.
• Keep your personal information private. Technology now provides companies with the ability to collect information about you and potentially give that information to others. So when exploring web sites, don’t disclose your personal information – such as your address, telephone number, Social Security number or email address – unless you know who’s collecting it and why they’re collecting it.
• Look for a company’s online privacy policy. Many companies with privacy practices post their privacy policy on their web site. The policy should disclose what information is being collected and how that information is being used. Before you give a company any personal information and before you make a purchase online, check its privacy policy. If you can’t find a policy, send an email or written request to the company and ask that it be posted on their web site.
• Easy as ABC. When perusing companies online, remember to ask yourself three simple questions about the company’s privacy policy:
• About me. What information does the company collect about me and is it secure?
• Benefits. How does the company use that information and what is the benefit to me?
• Choices. What choices do I have about the company’s use of information about me? Can I opt out of the information uses and how?
• Keep a record. Be sure to print a copy of your purchase order and confirmation number for your records. Also, you should know that the federal Mail or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule covers orders made via the Internet. This means that unless stated other wise, merchandise must be delivered within 30 days, and if there are delays, the company must notify you.

Source: U.S. Consumer Information Center