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Your Complete Guide to Shopping Online Safely
Submitted by: Chris
In recent years there has been a huge boom in the amount of people
shopping online. You can buy almost everything you need off the
internet from your home groceries to the latest CDs and DVDs , as
well as a hole host of hard to find items. Online shopping offers
convenience in that you do not need to leave your home or office and
that items are delivered directly to your door.
However, despite the advantages and convenience associated with
online shopping there is still an air of confusion and distrust
regarding shopping on the internet. Most of this comes from shock
stories involving illegal transactions and added charges but the
truth is that online shopping is generally more safer than
physically going to the shops yourself.
A lot of concern about online shopping comes from people either
misunderstanding the internet or the company you are buying from. As
with high street shopping you should only purchase items from
traders you perceive to be trustworthy. Look for traders you
recognise or have heard about. Remember that if an offer seems too
good to be true then to do some research before entering into an
agreement.
Rest assured that when you enter your payment details that the
transaction will generally be encrypted meaning that only the people
who authorise your transaction - your bank - will see your personal
details. The company you are purchasing from will not see these
personal details. You may feel you have to enter a lot of personal
details about yourself and the card you are paying on but these are
all security measures designed to make online shopping safer.
Card Watch, the UK banking group that works with the police and
retailers to stop credit card fraud, offer the following "top ten
tips" when buying online:
1. Make sure your web-browser (that's the software that you use to
view websites, most commonly Internet Explorer or Netscape) is set
to the highest level of security notification and monitoring. These
options are not always automatically activated when your computer is
set-up, so check your manual or the "Help" option.
2. Check you are using a recent version of your web-browser as they
often include better security features - up-to-date versions can be
downloaded free from the Microsoft or Netscape websites. If you have
a different browser or use on-line services such as AOL or
CompuServe, contact your ISP (Internet Service Provider) or software
supplier to find out how to activate their security features.
3. Before purchasing from a website, make a record of the retailer's
contact details, including a street address and landline phone
number. If these details are not available on the website, consider
going elsewhere to buy, do not rely on the e-mail address alone.
4. Do not enter personal details unless the security icon is
displayed (this is a small padlock that normally appears at the
bottom of your browser when you begin your transaction over the
Internet). You can click on the padlock to see if the retailer has
an encryption certificate. This should explain the type and extent
of security and encryption it uses. Only use companies that have an
encryption certificate and use secure transaction technology. The
address of the page where you enter personal details should also
start https://.
5. If you have any queries or concerns, telephone the company before
giving them your card details to reassure yourself that it is
legitimate.
6. Print out your order and consider keeping copies of the
retailer's terms and conditions and returns policy. Be aware that
there may well be additional charges such as postage and VAT. When
buying from overseas always err on the side of caution and remember
that it may be difficult to seek redress if problems arise.
7. Check statements from your bank or card issuer carefully as soon
as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer
concerned in the first instance. If you find any transaction on your
statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your card
issuer immediately.
8. Ensure that you are fully aware of any payment commitments you
are entering into, including whether you are instructing a single
payment or a series of payments.
9. Never disclose your card's PIN number to anyone, including people
claiming to be from your bank or the police, and never write it down
or send it over the Internet.
10. If you have any doubts about using your card, find another
method of payment.
About Author: Self Safe discusses personal safety issues for you and your family. Find out more about how to keep yourself and your family safe by visiting http://www.self-safe.com/default.asp.
Article Source: http://www.articlesalley.com/
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