Online Shopping

Ordering online

Believe it or not, the safest way to shop online is with a credit card over a secure connection. The important part of that first sentence is over a secure connection. There are a number of ways to tell if the site you are visiting uses secure technology to guard your credit card and other information. For instance, you can:

  • Check the address of the page you are on. If it begins with https:// instead of http:// secure sockets layer (SSL) technology is being used to encrypt your credit card information.
  • If you’re using Netscape Navigator, Version 4.0 or higher, look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of your screen.
  • In earlier versions of Netscape Navigator, an unbroken key is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
  • In Microsoft Internet Explorer, a secure site will show an icon of a lock on the status bar.

Don’t e-mail private informationGuy with Computer

E-mail is not at all secure. Never send credit card information, passwords, social security numbers, bank account numbers, or any other personal information in an e-mail message. "Theft of identity" is a growing crime: be very careful with any information that could be used to impersonate you.

Should you call it in?

Many sites allow buyers to order online, and then give credit card information over the phone to complete the order. A lot of people feel safer sharing information over the phone, but it’s actually safer to send the information on a secure Web site.

If you do give credit card information over the phone, make a note for yourself about each transaction. Write down:

  • The company name
  • The phone number
  • The date and time of your call
  • The name of the person you spoke to
  • What you ordered
  • Item prices
  • Total order price, including shipping and any applicable taxes

Keeping records

No matter how you pay for your purchases, keep records when you shop online. Print out and save:

  • The seller’s name, snail mail address, URL, and phone number
  • The Web page describing the item you ordered
  • Confirmation messages and any other e-mail from the seller

Also take notes on any phone conversations you have with the seller or send and save an e-mail confirmation of the phone call.

For more information on shopping safely online, check out the Safe Shopping Site. http://www.safeshopping.org