Six Essential Security Tips for Online Shopping
Amazon Is a Trusted & Secure Site
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These tips are excerpted from Preston Gralla's book,
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Shopping, a comprehensive resource of online shopping
advice, sites, and bargains.
Worried about shopping online? You needn't
be. If you follow our advice, you'll never get burned when you shop online. Here's what
you need to know.
Only buy at secure sites
You want to make sure that hackers can't steal your credit card. So make sure to shop only
at secure shopping sites. These use encryption to scramble your credit card information so
that no one except the site can read it. It's easy to know when you enter a secure site. You'll get a pop-up notice in your browser, and then an icon of a
locked lock will appear at the bottom of the browser.
Check out privacy policies before buying
When you buy from a site, you don't want your name and buying habits to be sold to the
highest bidder, and you don't want to be deluged with junk email. Find out what
information the site gathers, how that information will be used, and whether it shares
that information with anyone else.
Shop at sites that follow privacy rules from privacy watchdogs such as Truste. Truste is a
nonprofit group that serves as a watchdog for Internet privacy. It allows sites to post an
online seal if the site adheres to Truste's Internet privacy policies. And the Better
Business Bureau Online also has a privacy plan as well.
Avoid Scams and Identity Theft
Avoid Scams and Identity Theft
Answer only the minimum questions when filling out forms
When you buy something online, you'll usually have to fill out a form first. And you'll be
asked many questions, such as your annual income, age, phone number and similar
information. Don't answer the questions. Many sites put an asterisk* next to the questions
that must be answered, so only answer those. The shopping site wants your money, and it'll
take your money even if you don't give them personal information.
Never give out your Social Security number
There's no legitimate reason a site needs to know your Social Security number. If you give
it out, someone could steal your identity, get access to your bank account and in many
ways ruin your life.
Always pay with a credit card
When you pay with a credit card, you're offered a wide variety of consumer protections. If
you pay by check or money order, you don't get the same protection. So pay with plastic;
that way you won't get burned.
Get the lowdown on the latest Internet scams
The US Consumer Gateway reports on Internet scams. The Federal Trade Commission takes
action against Internet scamsters and issues scam warnings. The Internet Fraud Watch run
by the National Consumer's League, is a great source as well. And, if you're thinking of
buying stock online, head to the Security and Exchange Commission.