10 Tips for Online Shopping
1. Shop only at Internet merchants you know and trust; if in doubt check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org)
2. Beware of emails offering cut-rate prices on popular toys, software or other gifts; if the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
3. If you receive an unsolicited email from an Internet merchant, don’t click on the links within it. Instead, locate the merchant’s Web site address through a reputable search engine.
4. Check Internet merchants’ refund policies; some merchants set a deadline for returns or charge a fee to accept returned merchandise.
5. Pay with a credit or debit debit; for extra protection enroll your card in anti-fraud programs.
6. Never share your passwords with anyone, and use different passwords for different Web sites.
7. Protect your private information. When shopping online, look for the retailers Web site privacy policy and never provide you SIN number, birth date, or mother’s maiden name.
8. Ensure your computer has the latest anti-virus software installed before shopping online.
9. Always print and save the confirmation page when completing an online purchase.
10. Don’t wait for paper statements, Check your credit and bank statements for suspicious activity by either calling your bank or visiting your financial institution’s Web site.