Online
Shopping and Internet Safety
You still have several holiday
gifts to buy, but the thought of fighting the crowds at the mall leaves you
feeling like Scrooge.
You’re tempted to try
shopping online, but you’re concerned about the security and privacy issues
you’ve heard and read about. Don’t despair. The following advice about
cyber-shopping and about protecting your privacy on the Internet should help
prepare you for the digital marketplace.
Do Your Homework
The precautions you should
take when making purchases online are not all that different from what you might
do when shopping off-line. As a general rule, you’re safer dealing with
well-established and trusted businesses. Although there are no guarantees, a Web
site with its own domain is more likely to be credible that one using free space
provided by Internet access companies.
Just as you might have second
thoughts about sending a check to an unknown company at a post office box
number, an online merchant that doesn’t provide a contact name, physical
address, and phone number should raise your suspicions. And before making a
purchase online -- or off-line for that matter, it’s a good idea to find out
the merchant’s return policy.
If after taking these
precautions you’re still concerned about shopping cybermall style, you might
want to call the Better Business Bureau in the town where the merchant is
located to see if it has received any report of Internet fraud or unscrupulous
business practices by the merchant.
Protect Your Credit Information
When it comes to buying on the
Internet, many consumers are concerned about sending credit card information
over the Internet. The best way to protect yourself is by limiting your business
to merchants with secure sites. Secure sites use SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), a
type of encryption technology that protects your credit card information by
scrambling it before transmission. To find out whether your credit card
information is secure with a merchant, take a look at the page’s URL. A secure
URL page begins with the code “https” rather than “http.”
If you’re using a recent
version of a browser, you also can look for a padlock symbol or similar icon at
the bottom of your browser screen. Many sites also post their own privacy policy
or security statement that explains how the merchant protects the data you
provide.
Also, you should feel safe
dealing with merchants displaying the WebTrustSM seal. This new
service, introduced by The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, assures online
customers that the businesses carrying this seal adhere to standard business
practices and controls and have the ability to maintain privacy and security for
Internet transactions.
Bear in mind that, in some
cases, you won’t see the secure portion of a merchant’s Web site until you
are ready to order. Just be sure to look for it before entering any credit card
data.
Another important precaution
worth taking is to check your credit card statement each month as soon as it
comes in. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your financial liability is limited
to $50 if you report fraudulent use to your credit card company promptly. It’s
also a good idea to check your credit report once a year to make sure that
fraudulent accounts haven’t been opened in your name.
In any case, if you suspect
you’ve been subject to fraud by an online merchant, you might want to contact
Internet Fraud Watch on the Internet at www.fraud.org or by calling
800-876-7060.
Guard Your Privacy
Beyond shopping on the
Internet, there are other issues you need to be concerned about to protect
yourself when using online technology. Perhaps the most important is the need to
guard personal information such as your name, address, and phone number, as well
as Social Security number, date of birth, and mother’s maiden name. Think
twice about providing sensitive information online. The greater the amount of
personal information that is available about you, the greater your exposure to
security risks.
Treat e-mail carefully. Many
people send personal and confidential information over the Internet, without
realizing that doing so is akin to sending a postcard. Also, don’t download
programs from Web sites with which you’re not familiar. You could download a
virus that damages your computer files.
Finally, use a creative
password and change it frequently. Don’t choose something as obvious as your
birthday or your favorite team. For maximum security, try mixing numbers, upper
and lower case letters and even symbols in your password. And be careful never
to leave your written password near the computer.
The Internet can provide distinct shopping
advantages and a wealth
of information. Just be
sure
you take every precaution along the way.