Tip #4339 - Online Shopping Safety Tips
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Q:
As we all know, Christmas is right around the corner and I'm one who
likes to start my shopping early. I'm planning on doing quite a bit
of it online this year though and I was wondering if you could give
me some safety tips. I haven't done a lot of online shopping in the
past, so I want to make sure I do it right. Thanks for any help you
can give me!
A:
You're absolutely right, Christmas is only 45
days away! That hardly seems like any time at all and just like every
other year, I'm sure it will be here before we know it. So, when I
saw this question in my e-mail the other day, I thought today would
be the perfect time to answer it. I mean, it is the weekend and I'm
guessing a lot of you will be doing some shopping over the next couple
of days. I know I am. My goal is to beat the rush this year!
And
if you're anything like the person who asked today's question, you'll
be doing it from the comfort of your computer chair. Yes, online shopping
is a quick and easy way to get what you need for the holidays, but
in doing that, you're also taking a security risk. Don't get me wrong,
most companies have top notch security for their Web sites, but there
are still some things you need to look out for. Don't stress though!
I'm here to help. Below, you will find the top five tips for safe
online shopping. Read through them and then put them to practice.
Here we go!
1.)
Know Who You're Dealing With - The first thing you
need to be aware of is the merchant you are buying from. There are
a lot of companies out there today that run completely off of their
Web site, which means you probably won't be as familiar with them
as a store you could visit at the mall. In that case, you should take
some time to learn about them and the reputation they hold. You can
do that by searching them out on the Internet. Use a search engine
to see if you can find any reviews about them from other consumers
and try to find an information page on them. If previous shoppers
really like or dislike a company, chances are, you'll be able to find
some comments about them somewhere on the Web. If you take the time
to do this before you order from a new business, you'll be much better
off in the end.
2.)
Protect Your Privacy - When you're shopping online,
you have to think about yourself first and that means doing whatever
it takes to protect your privacy. Before you do any ordering, you
should be aware of what information the merchant is asking of you,
how it will be used and if they have any intention of sharing it with
others. The best way to do all of that is to check out the company's
Web site. If they're a legit site, they should have a Privacy Policy
posted there. You should take the time to read through that and make
sure you're comfortable with everything they say. It's a good idea
to look for seals from privacy enforcement organizations, such as
TRUSTe and BBBOnLine, as well. If you're asked to enter in such things
as your social security number or bank account information, do not
do it! Those things are red flags and they are not needed to make
an online purchase. If you pay close attention to what you're doing,
you will be just fine.
3.)
Know All the Details - When you're shopping online,
you should always check out the complete details of your purchase.
For example, make sure you know all about delivery dates, shipping
and handling costs, warranties, return policies, etc. It's also a
good idea to get a company's contact information before you finalize
your order. They should have a telephone number or e-mail address
on their Web site that you can keep on hand in case you have any questions
or problems once you receive your items.
4.)
Use a Credit Card - I know that may not sound like
the safest thing to do, but it really is a good way to keep yourself
safe. If you do business with a liable credit card company, they will
protect you if anything happens while you're making online purchases.
Most credit card companies provide liability agreements, so if your
card information is stolen, they will be able to put a hold on your
card and issue you a brand new number. That way, whoever has your
number is stopped from being able to use it. So, if you suspect any
suspicious activity after you make an online purchase, call your credit
card company right away and they'll be able to handle everything for
you. Also, when credit card companies see unusual activity on your
card, they will inform you about it.
When
you're using your credit card online, make sure you look for the yellow
padlock at the bottom of your Web browser or for the "https"
in the URL. Those are two signs that a site is secure and that your
credit card information will transmit safely. (You can read here
for more on that). You should also always use strong passwords when
you're logging in to certain Web sites and make sure you don't share
them with anyone.
5.)
Keep It On Record - The last thing you should always
do is keep good records of your purchases. Make sure you either print
out the receipt for your transactions or save it somewhere on your
computer. Most companies send confirmation e-mails, so it's a good
idea to save that and print it out as well. In doing that, you will
be able to keep better track of your total price, shipping and handling
fees and shipping dates.
There
you have it! Now, I know I mostly talked about online companies in
this article, but these five tips go for every store you shop with
online. It goes for all the "big box" stores, the department
stores, grocery stores and so on. No matter where you're doing your
shopping, you need to be aware of your surroundings and make sure
your number one priority is keeping yourself safe. Online shopping
is even better when you're smart about it. I now release you to start
your Christmas shopping and I hope you find some great deals this
weekend! : )
~
Erin
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